Lawton community members express frustration in communication over tent city closure

Over the past few weeks, countless members of the Lawton community came together to show love and support to those chronically unhoused residing in the tent city across from the Salvation Army as they prepare for its inevitable closure. Originally, the community was given 60 days to come up with a solution to addressing those who are left to sleep outside. Brenda Spencer-Ragland, who oversees the C. Carter Crane house, took the lead on this initiative, despite mostly working with those who are considered transitionally homeless. 

During the first two weeks of this timeline, the community held forums and conversed amongst each other on what could be done thinking they had enough time as the council had tried only permitting 30 days, but Spencer-Ragland pushed for 60. Despite being approved for 60 days to come up with a solution, the city council ultimately went back on their word two weeks later at the following meeting. That July 14 discussion resulted in Mayor Pro Tem Randy Warren making a motion to shut down the tent city as quickly as possible.

Ward 3 Councilman Kirby Brown spoke up in disagreement with Warren’s position. He said that while he doesn’t have an issue with closing the tent city overall, he has an issue with the council going back on their word.

“We committed two weeks ago to 60 days,” Brown said during the council meeting. “If we close it before we said we would allow people to work on it, then I think we reneged on what we said last meeting. Also, I fundamentally have an issue in everything I’ve heard about this is public safety. That’s not a homeless issue as stated by everyone we’ve listened to.”

The conversation started with Captain Bryan Brinlee addressing the council, requesting they shut the encampment down due to safety concerns. What became apparent as the conversation went on was the lack of communication between all of the parties involved. Brinlee was asked and admitted that he had not been in communication with Spencer-Ragland, but was concerned for the safety of the Salvation Army. Brinlee went on to explain that he’s offered everyone in the tent city assistance and that those who remained were not accepting. According to Warren and Brinlee, those who were still in tent city were not homeless by definition.

“We’re not giving somebody a plan any longer,” Warren stated. “We said we’ll give you 60 days to figure what to do with these homeless people. Well, now, today we find out there are no homeless people there. It is simply people who are desirists of living there because they can break the law and get away with it.”

In regards to the discussion about anyone still in tent city not being homeless, but rather choosing that lifestyle, Spencer-Ragland could only think of the many people who had accepted help to get out of that situation. 

“I don’t know what was true on that day, but I know that we got twenty six out of tent city to go,” Spencer-Ragland said. “Actually I got four today: I’ve got one in a hotel, I’ve got three at the shelter.”

The most recent concerns around tent city due to miscommunication were rumors that pets on the Lawton Unhoused Trust Authority property were going to be taken away, people were going to be fined, and that tent city would be closing down within the same week and anyone remaining would be forced to leave or arrested. Spencer-Ragland’s immediate response to both rumors was to reach out to city officials.

Spencer-Ragland said she learned of the rumors through someone who called her to express concern. In a Facebook post, she shared that she had contacted both Mayor Stan Booker and City Manager John Ratliff to request an extension to move the pets. In her message, Spencer-Ragland specifically asked for until 2 p.m. and said she was told she could have until 4 p.m. However, the city later released a statement that stated that the social media claims of pets being removed and tent city closing early in the week were rumors. Spencer-Ragland said it irritated her, just as the news about the city not upholding the 60 day promise had.

“Well if it was a rumor, why didn’t you just tell me it was a rumor and we’re not moving them,” Spencer-Ragland asked herself. “Why did you say so you could have until four. So, that was confusing.”

Dark Roast Report reached out to the Mayor’s office to ask why – if the claims were rumors – didn’t he just tell Spencer-Ragland that, rather than say yes to an extension. We received no response.

Still, Spencer-Ragland, along with other community members including those from churches, nonprofits, and the tribes, showed up to tent city to be proactive in the face of the rumors. Aside from getting 30 people out of tent city, they were joined by local veterinarian resources to get pets updated on vaccines. 

Their final effort of the week was getting the tent city cleaned up. Again, community volunteers banded together to move debris and clear the area. Spencer-Ragland noted that Sergeant Dimmitt was an active participant in ensuring safety and cleaning up.

As of July 24, what was tent city is now an empty lot that is gated off. Fortunately, because of the efforts of community members who came together and demonstrated the true meaning of community, many of the individuals that resided there now have new shelter and access to resources.

“We’re not trying to save tent city. We’re trying to connect services to those that are unhoused and those that need support,” Spencer-Ragland said.

Spencer-Ragland noted that tent city was merely a symptom of a much bigger issue. She added that it was a flood zone when it was put there and that criminal activity was a result of minimal monitoring. She stated that she believes the city council has addressed the symptom and not the greater issue. She believes this is a result of the lack of the communication the city initiates with those in the community that work with organizations help the unhoused. She said she thinks the Lawton Unhoused Trust Authority should be made up of people directly involved with organizations that help the unhoused. Further, she hopes there can be more cooperative efforts from the city council to communicate with and listen to those that directly work with the unhoused.  

Spencer-Ragland made it clear that she will continue to do what she can to help the homeless members of the community because she said she feels Christ has called her to do that work. She acknowledged that many other members of the community feel the same way. She added that, while the city technically has no obligation to help the unhoused, the nonprofits and churches that were founded to help people do. Additionally, she believes it’s important to bring in other resources to help, such as Catalyst, which offers addiction recovery through in-patient services and then helps individuals obtain sober living situations and get jobs.

Captain Brinlee posted a similar sentiment to his Facebook page, encouraging those who are passionate about helping the homeless to continue their efforts by volunteering for such organizations.

“The number of people in tent city has steadily decreased, but the need in our community has not. Every day, men and women still walk into our Day Center needing support, encouragement, and connection to services. If your heart has been stirred during these past two weeks, don’t let it stop here,” Brinlee said in his post.

Another forum meeting for homeless advocates was held the morning of July 24. The goal of that meeting was to discuss any remaining concerns around the tent city and how to move forward with addressing them. The city council will also be holding a special meeting to discuss the remaining concerns at 6 p.m. on July 27. The agenda specifically states that the 30-day report will be given from the various entities working to address chronic homelessness, a report from the City Manager over the taskforce that was created at the last city council meeting, and other related reports.