Sarah's Plan for the family center for juvenile justice

MAY 24, 2024 - the heart of our community, a troubling shadow has been cast over the Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice due to systemic failures and neglect. As a county, our responsibility is not only to protect but to advocate for the most vulnerable — our children. The ongoing issues at the Juvenile Center are not just a failure of policy, but a profound failure of compassion and accountability.

From the veils of "no comment" to my opponent's outright denial that our Board of County Commissioners have any responsibility or power to hold the service provider accountable, there has been a distressing tendency to deflect responsibility and ignore the dire conditions that have been allowed to persist. 

Let's not mince words here. There are credible, and in some cases confirmed, allegations of the rape, trafficking, exploitation, coercion, and intimidation of minors being held at the Juvenile Center. 

When my opponent was asked how he would address the dysfunction at the Juvenile Center, he effectively said he had no ability to advocate for these children and would rather focus on something else. The something else? A QR-code business card idea so when people see someone who is homeless, they can scan it to request a resource team instead of calling the police.. 

That's great. But we wanted to know what you would do, as someone who wants to represent more than 200,000 people, to help stop the rape of minors in our County facility. 

There are many responsible authorities, and that system was created with the intent that they serve as a robust web of checks and balances for one another. Instead, they now use that system to point fingers every direction but in the mirror. Now, they want to claim they have no role in protecting children who are being sexually assaulted by the adults charged with their care. 

This is unacceptable. It's time for a leadership that doesn't shy away from its duties but embraces them with the urgency and dedication they demand.

As County Commissioner, you may not be able to solve any given problem with the scratch of a pen. But this seat represents more than 200,000 people. This is one of the most powerful offices in our county and in our region. The influence it holds is vast, but rather than using that influence to speak up for our most vulnerable children, its being held hostage behind the veil of bureaucratic administrative policy. 

As your next County Commissioner, I will ensure the rights and well-being of these kids are a priority for our county - come hell or high-water. We will implement rigorous oversight and demand environments that heal rather than harm. Our youth deserve a system that builds futures, not one that breaks spirits. Join me in demanding better for our children. 

Please call or email your County Commissioner, State Representative, State Legislator, Mayor, the Oklahoma Attorney General, and District Attorney today. Demand an independent investigation, out of the hands of the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, and demand the facility be closed down pending the results of that investigation. 

Thank you and please take good care. 

-Sarah Gray