Residents and council members raise concerns about homelessness response, capacity and proposed state actions

Multiple public commenters and council members addressed homelessness during miscellaneous comments Sept. 9, urging coordinated planning and warning that local shelters and facilities are at capacity.

Steve Ellis, a Ward 4 resident, urged the city to prepare to oppose expansion of Governor Kevin Stitt’s Operation Safe, saying the program’s proposed practice of using state troopers to relocate unhoused people would not serve Norman. "Having state troopers round up unhoused folks, and drop them off in Norman's service area ... doesn't serve anyone's interest in this community," Ellis said, adding that the approach can destroy personal property and worsen outcomes for the people affected.

Mayor Holman and other council members said the city has long conducted encampment clearances and that those actions have not reduced homelessness. Holman told the meeting that local facilities are at or near capacity: "Our overnight shelter on this block, 55 people every single night. It's full." He also reported the Cleveland County jail and Griffin Hospital were full when he visited recently and said the city is receiving people from other counties.

Speakers and council members asked that any state activity be coordinated with local nonprofits, shelters and faith-based organizations so capacity and services are in place before relocation or enforcement actions occur.

No formal motion or vote on Operation Safe or a city policy directing state coordination was taken at the meeting; comments were delivered during the public-comment portion of the agenda and in council remarks.