April 3, 2023
By Landry Brewer
The Elk City Police Department is bursting at the seams, and voters can help.
Tuesday’s municipal ballot will give Elk Citians the chance to repurpose and extend an existing half-cent sales tax and expand the Elk City Police Station, which was built 41 years ago when the police force was much smaller.
“When the police department moved into the current building in 1982, the force was comprised of 11 officers,” said Elk City Assistant Chief of Police John Cook. “Now there are 30 officers.”
The police station has never been enlarged.
According to Cook, 24 Elk City Police officers occupy a single patrol room and work around each other, writing and filing reports and executing other duties, all in cramped quarters.
Additionally, more space is needed to accommodate today’s technology.
“We don’t have the capacity, the infrastructure for the Wi-Fi, ethernet cables and other new things that weren’t dreamed of 40 years ago,” Cook said.
The police station also needs more room to divert heat generated by all the department’s technology. “A lot of heat builds up in this electronic equipment, and we need the space and heat-dissipating capacity to keep the equipment running,” Cook said.
The Elk City Police Department’s dispatch area also needs expansion.
The department runs at least two and sometimes three dispatchers at a time. They dispatch the police department, the fire department, and EMS, plus eight rural fire departments from Carter to Foss, and the ECPD dispatchers also take all 911 calls.
More space is needed between personnel so that simultaneous calls received don’t create interference and confusion as the dispatchers talk and direct personnel during emergencies.
“If someone calls on the police line and a 911 call comes in, we want to make sure the dispatchers are far enough away from each other and don’t get cluttered up,” Cook said.
If approved by voters, the repurposed and extended sales tax will provide these needed public safety improvements without raising taxes
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
🎸 Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 – July 19 in Sayre, OK
Get ready, Western Oklahoma — Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 is back and it might get a little Western! 🤠 Join us on Saturday, July 19 at Sayre City Park for a full day of music,
2025 Outstanding Students Named by SWOSU College of Business & Technology
Weatherford, OK – The Everett Dobson College of Business and Technology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford recognized its 2025 Outstanding Students and 2025–26 scholarship recipients during the 3rd annual Dobby Awards ceremony. The Dobby
Sweetwater Man Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges Following Violent Incident in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Sweetwater man is facing a long list of serious felony charges after a violent confrontation in an Elk City alleyway that involved multiple victims and a dog. According to a probable cause
Main Street Construction Moves West May 21-22: What You Need to Know
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s ongoing Main Street improvement project is reaching a new phase. On May 21st and 22nd (weather permitting), construction crews will shift work to the west side of Main Street. During this
Elk City Seniors Awarded Over $2.4 Million in Scholarships at Brown and White Ceremony
Elk City, OK – The 2025 graduating class of Elk City High School was celebrated last Wednesday during the annual Brown and White Ceremony, held inside the Pioneer Center. The event recognized students for their academic achievements,
SWOSU Nursing Hosts Orientation for Class of 2027
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Nursing recently hosted its in-person orientation for the nursing class of 2027 on Tuesday, April 29. The event welcomed students who have been accepted into the
Teen Drowns at Canton Lake
Canton, OK — An 18-year-old Fairview man drowned Sunday evening at Sandy Cove Beach on Canton Lake, according to Blaine County authorities. Samuel Memphis Williams was swimming around 5:35 p.m. when he went after a ball that
Recent Rainfall Brings Drought Relief to Western Oklahoma
Norman, OK – After weeks of concern, recent rainfall has brought a welcome shift to the drought outlook in western Oklahoma. Beckham, Roger Mills, Washita, and Custer counties all saw significant improvement following multiple rounds of storms
Kiowa County Man Arrested Following Child Sexual Abuse Case
OSBI Press Release Lone Wolf, OK – On May 6, 2025, the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate alleged manufacturing of child sexual abuse material. Earlier that day, deputies were
UPDATE: Governor Signs HB 1732, Granting Schools Broadcast Rights
Oklahoma City, OK – Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1732 into law on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, officially granting Oklahoma public schools the authority to broadcast their own athletic events. The bill, authored by Representative Anthony
SWOSU Aspiring Educators Association Hosts Initiation and Cording Ceremony
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association (SWOSU OAEA) hosted its inaugural initiation and cording ceremony on April 22. The event recognized both newly initiated members and current student
SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Drought
SBA Press Release Sacramento, CA. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the June 2 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans
Fresno Man Arrested in Clinton on Drug Trafficking Charges
Clinton, OK — A California man was arrested in Clinton on January 13, 2025, after a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of multiple illegal drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Kenneth Ray Moore, 58, of
Wheeler County Election Results Are In: Incumbents, Challengers Split Key Races
May 7, 2025 Wheeler County, Texas — Voters in Wheeler and Shamrock, Texas made their picks in several local races on Saturday, including city council contests and a competitive race for the Parkview Hospital Board. In Wheeler,
Oklahoma House Rejects Wind Energy Setback Bill; Rep. Archer Cites Property Rights Concerns
Oklahoma City, OK – On Tuesday evening, the Oklahoma House of Representatives narrowly defeated Senate Bill 2 (SB2) with a 44-49 vote. The bill aimed to impose new setback requirements for wind energy facilities, mandating that wind
SWOSU’s Commitment to Excellence: Dr. Tugba Sevin’s Online Teaching Recognized at State Level
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Dr. Tugba Sevin, Professor of Italian and Spanish and Coordinator of the World Languages Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for
Sayre Man Facing Multiple Child Exploitation Charges Following Predator Sting
Elk City, OK — A Sayre man is facing multiple felony charges after a joint investigation between Elk City Police and an independent investigative organization uncovered evidence linking him to disturbing online activity involving minors, including his
Amarillo Man Killed in Rollover Crash on I-40 Near Weatherford
Weatherford, OK – A fatal crash early Monday morning claimed the life of a Texas man on Interstate 40, just west of Weatherford in Custer County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately
One Dead, Two Injured in Early Morning Rollover Crash on I-40 Near Shamrock
Wheeler County, TX — A single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning on Interstate 40 claimed one life and left two others injured, according to the Texas Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 3:39 A.M. on May 1,
Oklahoma Legislature Passes HB 1732, Empowering Schools to Broadcast Their Own Athletic Events – Awaits Governor's Signature
Oklahoma City, OK — On April 30, 2025, the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 1732, a measure that affirms the right of public schools to broadcast their own athletic events, including preseason, regular season, and playoff games.
Request An Emergency Ballot For The May 13 Election
Roger Mills County Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 28th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Roger Mills County Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Friday, May 16th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the June 10th Town of Cheyenne Special
SWOSU Students Join LSU for Herpetology Fieldwork at Ouachita Mountains
SWOSU Press Release Ouachita Mountains, AR – Students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences recently participated in a field experience at the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station in Arkansas. The trip, held
Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws
Cheyenne, OK – With the May 13 Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election
SWOSU Chapter Hosts TriBeta Regional Research Convention
SWOSU Press Release Cedar Hill, TX – Students and professors from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently helped organize and host the 2025 Southcentral Regional Convention of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society at Mt. Lebanon Camp and
