Stabbing near OKC park highlights ongoing concerns over homeless encampments

A man was stabbed Monday morning near a city park just west of downtown Oklahoma City.

Police responded to the scene near Northwest 2nd Street and Blackwelder Avenue, where they arrested 55-year-old Richard Rea on a complaint of aggravated assault and battery. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Detectives spent hours processing the scene and recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack.

For many residents, violence came as no surprise.

"It's just a total mess," said Cotcha Doomkeen, a local landlord who owns rental properties in the neighborhood but struggles to find tenants.

"They're on my property, camped out on my porch or in the front yard," Doomkeen added. "They fight in the streets, they fight over their tents, they fight for their spaces, it's a war zone, and they all carry knives."

The increasing number of encampments has raised safety concerns for both residents and business owners. However, city officials say they are actively working on solutions to address homelessness while improving public safety.

Through the Key to Home Partnership, Oklahoma City has been working to transition people from the streets into permanent housing. Since September 2023, they have closed 22 encampments and provided housing and resources to 342 individuals.

"Part of the program is ensuring that when we go into an encampment, we offer housing to everyone residing there," said Erika Warren, Communications Manager for Key to Home Partnership. "So far, we have a 92 percent acceptance rate."

City officials emphasize that the initiative is about more than just providing housing—it’s about creating a safer, healthier community for everyone.

"We want to make sure we are activating public spaces and ensuring that our community is a place where everyone can thrive," Warren said.

The program goal is to house 500 people within two years and has already reached 68 percent of that goal.