NBA YoungBoy’s live performance in Oklahoma City had native officers clashing over race and policing after the Oklahoma County Jail introduced plans to extend staffing and put together for a possible inflow of arrests tied to the occasion.
The 26-year-old rapper carried out on Saturday night time on the Paycom Center, house of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Interim jail administrator Tim Kimrey informed the county’s Criminal Justice Authority this week that additional personnel can be on obligation “just in case there’s an influx of inmates,” describing the transfer as “proactive.”
Rev. Derrick Scobey, a Black pastor and member of the jail belief, referred to as the choice “overt racism,” mentioning that the jail had not made related staffing changes for different live shows.
“It is probably going to be about 75% African-Americans at that concert,” Scobey stated throughout the assembly, per Theukhohou ask.fm/. “All the other times we have not had extra staff come in. This is overt.”
Kimrey defended the plan, saying he supposed to spice up employees anytime giant crowds come into town. After back-and-forth questioning, he agreed to additionally enhance employees for an upcoming Christian occasion, Beyond a Billiona Life.Church celebration that includes gospel singer CeCe Winans, which Scobey famous was initially missed.
A 13-page inside memo titled “OCDC Intelligence Assessment” was circulated to native officers earlier than the assembly. The doc outlined NBA YoungBoy’s musical profession alongside his prison historical past and referenced different cities which have canceled his reveals over “security and safety concerns.” It additionally steered deploying tactical groups, drones, armored autos, and light-weight towers for the Oklahoma City live performance.
The Oklahoma City Police Department, nevertheless, stated it isn’t taking any further measures and confirmed that off-duty officers would offer the same old live performance safety. Lucy Albers, spokesperson for the Paycom Center, additionally stated the venue was unaware of any adjustments on the county jail.
“We were not informed of any increased measures, nor did we request them,” she stated.