Police Crack Down On Drinking, Drugs At Jenks Riverwalk Crossing

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

JENKS, Oklahoma -- It's the weekend, and that means big crowds of kids will gather at the Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks. Jenks police say it's gotten out of hand there, with drinking, drug use and car break-ins. They've even had to call in Sheriff's deputies to help with crowd control.

The nightlife is in full swing at the Riverwalk Crossing on weekends. Deputies say criminal activity is as well. They recently arrested 50 people in six hours and wrote dozens of tickets for underage drinking, public drunk and more.

They arrested one teenage boy who was drunk and carrying marijuana. He said he'd been given a sample inside the bar and told he could purchase plenty more.

Deputies have lots of similar examples, and some of the kids aren't even old enough to drive.

"They said he was so intoxicated, he could barely stand up and when they talked to him and validated who he was, they learned he's only 14 years old," said Sergeant Shannon Clark of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. "He's not old enough to be in the bar, let alone intoxicated."

Deputies say this area was created to be family friendly place but until law enforcement can take it back, it's a recipe for disaster.

"Some of the girls are even hiding alcohol in their perfume bottles. They are draining them and filling them with alcohol and when security looks, they think it's perfume, so they're getting inebriated, and that's dangerous," Clark said.

Tulsa police say problems often spill over to a nearby QuikTrip after the clubs close. Large groups of young people gather; some shoplift, and others fight.

It may force the store to close for a short time around 2 a.m. and then re-open.

"This is a powder keg just waiting on ignition," said Sergeant Shannon Clark of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies want parents to know what their kids could get into if they're just dropped off here. They say money, drunk teenagers, barely dressed girls and no supervision make for a compromising situation at best and a hot bed of danger, at worst.

The News On 6 obtained video from Jenks Police after filing an open records request.