OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Mayors from across the nation will be getting a look at Oklahoma City this weekend. They are here for their fall leadership meeting, where they will brainstorm ideas that they said will hopefully make their cities safer and improve the quality of life.
“If everybody in American political life actually did the things I just said, like the country would dramatically change overnight,” said Mayor David Holt (R), Oklahoma City.
That’s what Mayor David Holt said in reference to the new Oklahoma City declaration that mayors from across the nation signed on Friday morning.
The document explains their recommitment to core American values of pluralism, compromise, and persuasion.
It also has several bullet points highlighting what they believe and want to see in American cities.
“We will condemn those who use or condone political violence and will seek full accountability for their actions, even if their political position was one with which we agreed,” said Mayor Holt.
During the conference, mayors from several states will brainstorm ways to help their cities improve, like coming up with ideas on a national level to address affordable housing and the homelessness crisis.
“We acknowledge that the scale of some of the challenges we face means we cannot do this work alone. We want and need federal partnership and investment to get things done on the ground in our cities,” said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird (D), Lincoln, Nebraska.
In addition to signing the declaration, the mayors also praised the drop in crime nationwide. They said the new report they released highlights that in 86% of the cities surveyed, the number of violent crimes decreased during the first six months of 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.
“As the leadership of the conference gathers here in Oklahoma City, this survey will serve as a roadmap for our discussions, helping to identify priorities for a new partnership with the administration and Congress to reduce crime. Making our cities as safe as possible is a priority for all of us,” said Mayor Brett Smiley (D), Providence, Rhode Island.
In addition to the conference, they mayors will also get a little taste of Oklahoma City as they go on a tour of the city. Some of the highlights will be going to Riversport to see the site of the 2028 Olympic venues here in OKC.
Below is a copy of the Oklahoma City Declaration.
This is a copy of the 2025 crime report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors survey.
