The tale of Roy Banks
by David Arnett, Publisher
It is a strange story that does not seem to end.  An aside to the speed trap issue, it is a reflection of an attitude most honest law enforcement finds embarrassing.   

First, Roy Banks impersonated Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officer Terry Freeman, then admitted the crime while attacking Tulsa Today.  

Banks used the Tulsa Today feedback form to leave the following message in Officer Freeman's name: "IF ALL THE DUMB OKIES AND ARKIES THAT DRIVE WOULD DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT THEN THEY WOULD NOT GET ANY TICKETS."

What surprised Tulsa Today staff is that we know Officer Freeman and he is not as stupid as that message would suggest. However, Freeman's telephone number at OHP headquarters was supplied so we called.  Then things really got interesting.

Officer Terry Freeman said that he knew who had sent Tulsa Today a message in his name.  He identified Roy Banks and provided a telephone number.  As publisher, I called Mr. Banks and left a simple message on his answering machine.  In short, I said we do not appreciate people who lie and impersonate officers of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The consensus of our staff was that this would be the end of the matter, but we were wrong.  The following is a direct copy of Roy Banks' latest writing:

Subject: Feedback Form Results
   Date: 1 Sep 1998 02:14:23 -0000
   From: (Feedback Form)
     To: editor@tulsatoday.com 

Below is the result of your feedback form.  It was submitted by
Feedback Form () on Monday, August 31, 1998 at 21:14:23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
name: ROY BANKS
company: PRIVATE CITIZEN
city: MUSKOGEE
state: OK 

comments: DAVID ARNETT IS A FULL FLEDGED SQUIRREL WHO PROBABLE GOT A TICKET AND IS A BIG CRYBABY AND WANTS EVERONE TO FEEL SORRY FOR HIM 

O B E Y T H E  L A W    IDIOT 

I AM ONLY SORRY THAT I DID NOT USE MY CORRECT NAME THE FIRST TIME HOWEVER  DONT EVER CALL ME ON MY PHONE OR YOU WILL GET HUNG UP ON IMMEDIATELY 

I DONT TALK TO DELAWARE COUNTY SQUIRRELS
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REMOTE_HOST: 206.52.150.236
HTTP_USER_AGENT: Mozilla/4.02 [en]C-DIAL  (Win95; U)

As publisher, I am responsible for everything in this site, but I was not the reporter on the Watts Speed Trap story. 

So, Mr. Banks, let me introduce myself.
My name is David Arnett and I will defend my staff against you or anyone else.  They are the most honest hard working team of under paid journalists in America.  I have never received a ticket in Watts.  I am a fourth generation Tulsan and there are now six generations of my family here on Oklahoma ground or under it.  We are not leaving.  If you wish to pick a fight with us, pack lunch and dinner.

I live in Tulsa.  I do not like people who lie nor stupid folks without a clue.  I swore an oath once when I was very young not to allow abuse of authority and that means any authority no matter how many guns they carry.  I am an Eagle Scout.  I am a Christian.  I believe in law and order or changing law if that is in order.

I believe all public institutions are subject to mission drift.  It is a journalist's job to notice that drift, report it and call for correction in the public's best interest.  I believe a reporter should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

Now, I have been "hung up on," insulted, hit, shot and thrown out of more places by more important people than you.  I don't hide behind another name, but stand flat footed in this place on the world wide web and tell the truth in the best interest of my community. 

So here is a clue Mr. Banks.  I don't care who you are or what your deal is, but with the help of Tulsa Today readers, there will be a speed trap law passed in Oklahoma because it is the right thing to do and we will not stop until it is done.

David Arnett