The Duncan Banner

Local News

December 14, 2009

Sheriff, DPD agree SB 826 has good measure

Toni Hopper

DUNCAN — Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney and Duncan Police Chief Dan Ford have positive reviews of Senate Bill 826 which specifically targets gangs and gang recruitment.

Both officers had a chance to review the complete bill that was authored by Sen. Anthony Sykes and co-authored by Duncan legislator, Rep. Dennis Johnson.

“I think the entire thing was thought out well and put together well,” McKinney said Wednesday.

Ford said he likes the fact that the bill offers added protection to schools and educators who suspect gang recruitment is taking place.

McKinney said the bill gives law enforcement an additional tool in the battle against gangs and their activities. McKinney does think there are “elements to think about.”

“It (the bill) sends a very clear message to the gangs in our area and this state that we are not going to tolerate it,” he said.

McKinney said he’s also talked with a few legislators that have indicated to him their support of SB 826.

“You look at these enhancers in here. The mandatory sentencing is what we need,” he said.

Should the bill pass and receive the Governor’s approval, those found guilty of gang activities will be required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.

The only drawback that either McKinney or Ford can see is proving someone is a gang member who recruits.

“Getting somebody to let their kids testify is another thing,” Ford said. And he noted that the Duncan Police Department uses a Tulsa-standard to pinpoint gangs.

“One of the things is we have to certify gang identity,” Ford said. Just following a standard set of criteria makes it a difficult task. The Tulsa-standard helps in that effort.

McKinney said there has not been any homicides in the county this year, though there have been drive-by shootings in both the county and the city, and shootings with intent-to-kill.

“We do have gang influence in the county, but we do not have it like Comanche County and we want it to stay that way. We want to eradicate it completely,” he said.

Language in the bill also targets those who attempt to intimidate or influence a witness in a case.

“We did have that and the witness, she was shot. We’ve always had statutes, this just adds a little more teeth,” McKinney said.

“It’s like other bills across the country that we’ve seen. We like the whole thing, our job is to put the probable cause on,” Ford said.

McKinney agreed.

“They’ll recruit these young kids and use them selling the drugs or running these drugs. The key is being able to prove it,” McKinney said.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.

Text Only
Local News
  • Simmons to host youth Health Fair

    February 10, 2012

  • Oklahoma Horse Fair adds new activities for 10th year

    As the Oklahoma Horse Fair celebrates its 10th anniversary, organizers hope this year will be the best show, yet. To that end, new activities have been added to the mix of auctions, rodeos and trade shows going on during the three-day event.

    February 9, 2012

  • FAME taps students’ talents

    Because of a grant received from the Oklahoma Arts Council, the FAME Academy was able to present its annual art show Wednesday afternoon. The show featured clay creations and mosaic artwork from the FAME students.

    February 9, 2012

  • Duncan entities selected for ‘Certified Healthy’ awards

    Four Duncan entities have been selected as winners of “Certified Healthy Oklahoma” awards, which were distributed by the Stephens County Health Department.

    February 9, 2012

  • Brown draws opponent in Duncan mayoral race

    Twenty minutes before the deadline to file to run for mayor of the City of Duncan, Gene Brown seemed to be cruising unfettered to a third term.
    One minute later, Brown ran into a speed bump.

    February 9, 2012

  • Duncan woman charged with theft of medication from nursing home resident

    A Duncan woman was arrested and charged with larceny of a controlled dangerous substance, after it was discovered she took a pain medication patch from a patient at Country Club Care nursing facility.

    February 9, 2012

  • Two Duncan High graduates of the same era will be headlining the entertainment at tonight’s 2012 Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Banquet, at the Simmons Center. Laura Gossett Stockton will be reaching for the stars in music and theater universe. Local performers to ‘walk in stardust’

    Many people dream of reaching for the stars and building off that concept is the theme for tonight’s 2012 Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Banquet.

    February 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • Revised charge filed against intoxicated driver

    In July, when Stephens County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Spencer made a traffic stop at Ballpark and Ninth Street in Marlow, it wasn’t the 5 gallon bucket of empty beer cans which caused him concern.

    February 9, 2012

  • Derek Thomas enjoys dinner with his daughters Grace, right, and Hannah during Monday’s Daddy-Daughters Date hosted by the Duncan Aequalis Club at Peyton Place restaurant. Daughters out on town with daddies

    For the second consecutive year, the Aequalis Study Group gave a group of dads the opportunity to take their daughters out for a special night, by hosting the Daddy-Daughter Date, Monday night at Peyton’s Place.

    February 8, 2012 2 Photos

  • Several events on tap for Black Heritage Month

    As we head further into the month of February, Rev. Ronald Boyd and his committee are preparing for several events that will enable the community to celebrate Black Heritage Month.

    February 8, 2012