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Residents urge city to retain community resource officer role, saying it prevents problems before they reach schools
Summary
Multiple residents used public comment to ask the City of Muskogee not to eliminate a community resource officer who works citywide and mentors young people; speakers described the officer’s presence at community events and schools as preventive and beneficial.
Several Muskogee residents urged the council during public comment not to eliminate a community resource officer who operates across the city and who, they said, serves as a bridge to students and families.
“My grandson attends Sadler. The resource officer is that community bridge that allows our students, parents, those that work within the school system, and others in the community to truly have a bond that does away with sometimes the fear that comes with dealing with law enforcement,” said Lynette Gunn, a Ward 1 resident.
Laurie Thompson, another resident, described the officer — identified in comments as Ron Mace — as a citywide presence who attends games, after-school activities and community events and who mentors young people. “A community officer like Ron works across the entire city, building trust, showing up, and guiding young people long before problems even start,” Thompson said.
Speakers told the council they had learned of a possible decision to eliminate the resource-officer role and asked the council to preserve the position. They distinguished a school-based officer (assigned to a single building) from a community resource officer who engages citywide and, they argued, prevents issues that could later affect schools.
The comments were public testimony; no formal council action on the resource-officer role was recorded in the May 12 meeting.
