Oklahoma – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt praised Lawton officials after the City Council voted unanimously to close Tent City, calling the move an example of local leadership taking action to address safety concerns and restore order.
“The City of Lawton’s decision to close Tent City and restore order and safety is exactly the kind of local leadership I want to keep seeing in Oklahoma,” Stitt wrote in a post on X.
Stitt said the unanimous vote by the Lawton City Council, the presence of law enforcement at the site, and cooperation with the Salvation Army showed how local governments can address challenges without waiting for state intervention.
“Lawton’s leaders didn’t wait for the state to intervene. They owned the problem and solved it,” Stitt wrote, adding that he wants to see similar approaches in communities across Oklahoma.
The governor also thanked Lawton Mayor Stan Booker, saying he appreciated that the mayor was willing to address issues facing the city.
The decision to close Tent City followed a Lawton City Council vote on July 14. The council voted unanimously to move forward with the closure and approved placing a law enforcement officer at the site daily until the process was complete.
During the council discussion, Salvation Army officials raised concerns about conditions at the encampment, which is located across from the Salvation Army of Lawton. Salvation Army Co-Captain Bryan Brinlee described the situation as dangerous and said the organization had concerns about safety at the location.
City officials have also worked to address misinformation circulating online about the closure. The City of Lawton clarified that Tent City was not scheduled to close immediately on July 21 and said claims about enforcement actions involving animals were inaccurate.
The city said the Salvation Army continued working directly with individuals at Tent City and had helped some people find rehabilitation programs or reunite with family members. Mayor Booker said city leaders were working through planning related to homelessness issues and encouraged residents to rely on official city communications for accurate information.
The closure debate comes as Lawton officials continue addressing concerns involving homelessness, public safety, and available resources for people experiencing homelessness. The city has said partnerships with community organizations, including the Salvation Army, remain part of efforts to connect individuals with assistance.
Stitt’s comments highlighted his support for local governments taking a leading role in addressing community issues. He said Lawton’s approach represented the type of decision-making he wants to see from municipalities throughout Oklahoma.
The City of Lawton has not released a final timeline for the full closure process, but officials have continued providing updates as plans move forward.
