Former Oklahoma District Attorney, Mike Fields, is joining forces with Law Enforcement, Business, Energy, and Victim Advocate Groups to launch a new coalition, the Oklahoma Public Safety Hero Project. The group will highlight and promote public safety initiatives and legislation that address all aspects of public safety and crime reduction.

“We understand that reducing crime requires a comprehensive strategy that includes such things as investing in early childhood development, strengthening educational systems, promoting effective and innovative policing, and addressing social issues,” said Mike Fields, Spokesperson for the Public Safety Hero Project.

In 2024 alone, there were more than 180,000 crimes committed against people and property in the Sooner State. Many Oklahomans are worried about a rising crime rate in the state because public safety is the cornerstone of vibrant and healthy communities.

“Safe communities positively impact children and families, promote economic growth and prosperity, support the physical health of their residents, and create cohesion and a greater sense of community pride. Because safe communities are so important, The Public Safety Hero Project will support bills introduced this session that move the public safety needle in a positive direction. One initiative that will do exactly that is SB 857 introduced by Senator Darrell Weaver.

This bill will promote effective and innovative policing, a critical component of public safety,” Fields said.

“Senator Weaver’s bill is vital for public safety in Oklahoma. Rising crime rates in our state exceed the national average, underscoring the need for improved community protection measures,” said Fields. “Unfortunately, some of our state’s outdated laws hinder the adoption of innovative technologies that could enhance law enforcement efficiency. License Plate Reader cameras directly aid crime prevention and resolution. This bill establishes critical guardrails to ensure this technology can continue to be used responsibly by Oklahoma law enforcement to solve crimes.”

The Public Safety Hero Project and Senator Weaver’s License Plate Recognition (LPR) bill have strong support from Oklahoma law enforcement.

Law enforcement officers who investigate crimes are some of the most ardent advocates for LPRs, since the evidence provided by this technology often sparks their first lead in a criminal investigation.

“License Plate Readers are one of the most impactful tools we have for investigating and solving crimes,” said Derek White, Chairman of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigators Agents Association. “Victims and their families deserve answers and justice when a crime is committed against them. License Plate Readers and other advanced technologies are changing the game in enabling us to hold more criminals accountable.”

Victims’ advocates at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have also supported Senator Weaver’s legislation.

“Driving impaired is a crime. Too often, impaired drivers who crash their motor vehicles leave the scene, leaving damage and tragedy in their wake. MADD Oklahoma supports law enforcement technology that aids investigators in effectively and efficiently solving crimes, which can bring perpetrators to justice and start victims on their journey,” said Jerod Breit, the Oklahoma Executive Director of MADD. “Real-time investigative tools and resources should be embraced just as antidrunk driving technology is, and therefore, we support SB 857 and all those law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to remove drunk and drugged drivers from our roadways in many ways.”

Other policies supported by the Public Safety Hero Project include:

• SB 58 – The bill establishes the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act, which aims to support eligible students pursuing degrees related to careers as peace officers, firefighters, or emergency medical technicians in Oklahoma.

• SB 599 – Provides that a person convicted of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape, rape by instrumentation, or lewd molestation of a child under 14 shall be subject to the death penalty or life without parole on the first conviction instead of a second conviction.

• SB 607 – Provides that a statement describing or reporting a domestic abuse incident made by the victim to a law enforcement officer within 1 week of the incident, a protective order filed within 1 week of the incident, or given testimony at a hearing on application for a protective order shall be admissible in pre-trial or post-trial criminal and juvenile delinquent domestic abuse prosecutions.

• SB 609 – Provides that a member of the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System may include up to 5 years of accumulated service in another state, county, or municipal retirement system from a state other than Oklahoma.

• SB 857 – This bill establishes regulations for the use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems on highway rights-of-way in Oklahoma. It defines key terms related to ALPR technology, including “alert,” “hot list,” and “license plate reader data.” The bill authorizes law enforcement agencies to utilize ALPR systems under specific conditions, such as obtaining a permit from the Department of Transportation and ensuring that the use does not interfere with traffic flow.

• HB 1413 – Establishes that any pleas of guilty or nolo contendere or finding of guilt domestic violence is to constitute a conviction of the offense for the purpose of any subsection of this section under which the existence of a prior conviction is relevant for a period of ten years following the completion of any sentence or court imposed probationary term.

• HB 1595 – increases the punishment for assault from 30 days to up to 90 days in the county jail. The measure increases the punishment for assault and battery from 90 days to up to six months in the county jail.

• SB 631 – Adds the crime of discharging a firearm at or into a dwelling or building used for public or business purposes to the list of 85% crimes.

• SB 786 – Introduces prohibition against consuming medical marijuana or secondhand smoke while driving, and restricts the possession of open containers of medical marijuana in the passenger area of a vehicle.

• SB 981 – Amends Section 1101 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which governs bail in criminal cases. It establishes that bail may be denied for certain offenses, including capital offenses, violent offenses, and offenses punishable by life imprisonment.

• SB1109 – Provides that any person aged 15-17 who is convicted of a felony discharge of a firearm or attempting, planning, or conspiring to perform an act of violence involving or intended to involve serious bodily harm or death of another person shall be held accountable for such acts as a youthful offender unless otherwise certified as an adult as provided by the provisions of the Youthful Offender Act.

• HB 1935 – Modifies the statute of limitations for failure to report abuse or neglect. The measure provides that the offense must be commenced by the forty-fifth birthday of the alleged victim.

To learn more about the Public Safety Hero Project and its supporters please visit OKHeroProject.org or contact us at info@OKHeroProject.org.