Tulsa Police Present Security Plan For Presidential Visit, Race Massacre Centennial

The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial and President Joe Biden’s visit to Tulsa is just a few days away.

In a news conference Wednesday, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said the department has been through a presidential visit before and has a solid safety plan in place.

Chief Franklin said this is an all-hands-on-deck event. They will have more than 840 officers working this week. He said their goal is simple - keep the people of Tulsa safe.

Franklin said having former President Donald Trump visit last year has helped them prepare for this weekend. He said they will have a lot of officers that will be visible and a lot that will be working undercover.

He said they will also being using new operational tactics that they haven't used before and he's asking the community for their help by being TPD'S eyes and ears. Franklin asks anyone who sees anything suspicious, such as unattended bags or packages, or large vans and box trucks in odd places, to report it to police immediately.

"We are going to be hopefully overprepared. I want a bunch of policemen working, and my hope is none of them have to take any action, but we are prepared if need be,” said Chief Franklin.

We still don't know exactly when and where President Joe Biden will be visiting. Chief Franklin said they are partnering with other federal and state agencies this weekend.