Muskogee council hears police briefing on shots-fired calls; NAACP launches safe-storage campaign

Chief Teehee told the Muskogee City Council’s public-works committee that reports of escalating violent crime on social media were "completely untrue," and that the department’s data show shots-fired calls have averaged roughly 20–25 per month. He said from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 10, 2026, the department recorded 265 shots-fired calls and 17 shooting calls where physical evidence was recovered.

Teehee described tools and tactics the department is using to investigate and respond. He said the city operates 10 stationary license-plate–reading cameras (Flock cameras) that, over the prior 30 days, produced about 667 plate reads and 574 officer searches. The chief said those systems generated roughly 165 hot-list alerts, about 148 offender alerts, up to 90 stolen-plate or stolen-vehicle hits, and seven protective-order alerts. He said the system is shared with about 102 agencies across Oklahoma and neighboring states.

Following last week’s incidents, police conducted saturation patrols on the West Side, making 126 traffic stops, issuing 45 citations and 56 warnings, and making nine arrests. Teehee provided examples of how community video — including doorbell cameras — helped identify a vehicle and led to a traffic stop and arrest.

Councilmembers asked whether the city uses acoustic shot-detection devices and raised concerns about poor lighting in neighborhoods. Teehee said the city does not use shot-detection devices, cited budget and practical limitations, and recommended reporting dark streetlights through the city’s ClickFix system so crews can inspect and repair lighting where the city controls it.

During public comment and presentations, Councilor Melody Cranford introduced Officer Mace, who described juvenile-intervention efforts including a six-week gang-prevention program, a "mindful resolutions" curriculum for emotion regulation, and the NOVA "law in the community" program to foster positive officer–youth interaction. Cranford emphasized that many wraparound services for juveniles are confidential by design and available to families.

Reverend Roger Cutler of the NAACP Muscogee branch said the group is launching "Safe Storage Saves Lives," an education and prevention campaign that will include a community educational meeting, distribution of free gun locks through partners, and a social-media outreach effort. Cutler asked the council to support community education and encourage participation.

The committee did not adopt new policy at the meeting; the session focused on reporting, community programs and requests for council support of the NAACP initiative.