Even though the number of meth labs recovered by Tulsa police is down more than 65 percent from two years ago, methamphetamine has contributed to at least 11 homicides this year, including two quadruple slayings, reports the Tulsa World. “Something’s going on. There’s an increase in violence at this moment,” said Homicide Sgt. Dave Walker. He speculated that violence is the way meth suppliers are “taking care of” unpaid debts and turf disputes.
Tulsa police saw a peak of 429 meth labs in the city in 2011, up from a recent low of 20 in 2007. “It depends on whether or not you want to look at it from the fact that we still have a whole lot of people in a risky, illegal business in town,” said Corporal Mike Griffin, referring to meth use. “Or do we want to say, ‘Hey, (the number of meth labs found) is down from where it was’ ?”