October 2, 2024
October is National Crime Prevention Month, and it's a perfect time to strengthen our community's vigilance and safety practices. Here are some practical tips to keep our neighborhoods safe and crime-free. First, make sure your house is secured with the doors and windows locked, especially when you are away. Lock the doors on your vehicles to prevent from being an easy target. Install motion-sensor lights around your property. Be smart with technology and consider investing in home security and camera systems. Also, keep your home Wi-Fi networks password-protected and secure.
Practice personal safety. Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Avoid distractions such as smartphones when walking in unfamiliar or dark areas. Get to know your neighbors. It’s a lot easier to look out for each other when you’re familiar with your neighbors. Consider attending community meetings to discuss safety concerns and solutions.
As always, don’t hesitate to report suspicious activities to MPD immediately. Sometimes minor observations can be vital pieces of information to help ensure community safety. Let's use this month to reinforce our commitment to a safer, stronger community. By working together and staying informed, we can make significant strides in crime prevention. For more resources and tips, visit the National Crime Prevention Council website or contact us at the Medford Police Department.
Stay Safe,
Deputy Chief Trevor Arnold
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Here are Ways to Help Prevent Crime at Home
Security cameras are a valuable investment for home safety, providing an extra layer of protection by deterring potential intruders and recording any suspicious activity. Their presence not only enhances your own security but also contributes to the safety of your neighborhood. When cameras capture footage of events, they can aid local law enforcement in addressing crime and creates a sense of community vigilance. Additionally, sharing information from your camera with neighbors can help everyone stay informed and alert, ultimately creating a safer environment for all. By working together and utilizing technology, we can strengthen our neighborhoods and promote peace of mind.
Securing your home and vehicle is crucial for maintaining safety and preventing theft. Start by ensuring that all doors and windows are locked when you leave your house, as an unlocked entry point can invite unwanted intruders. It’s equally important to lock your car doors, especially when parked in the driveway. An unlocked vehicle can become an easy target for thieves, making it more likely that personal belongings or even the car itself could be stolen. By taking these simple precautions, you create a formidable barrier against crime, protecting not only your property but also your peace of mind. Always remember that a few extra seconds spent locking your doors can save you from significant loss and stress later on.
Installing motion sensor lights is an effective strategy for enhancing home security and deterring potential criminals. These lights automatically activate when they detect movement, illuminating dark areas around your property and making it more difficult for intruders to approach unnoticed. The sudden burst of light can startle individuals who may have had ill intentions, effectively discouraging them from proceeding with their plans. Furthermore, well-lit surroundings not only enhance visibility for homeowners and their neighbors but also signal that the area is actively monitored, creating a sense of vigilance within the community. By adding motion sensor lights into your home security measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of crime while creating a safer environment for everyone.
Reduced Speed Limits!
If you have not noticed, starting Thursday, September 19, new speed limits were in effect on Central and Riverside Avenues.
The City, through the Oregon Department of Transportation who is legally tasked with setting speed zones in Oregon, is making these adjustments to improve safety and to comply with Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 811.111, which regulates speed limits in specific areas, including business districts.
Central Avenue
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10th St. to Barnett Rd. will have a new posted speed limit of 30 MPH (currently 35 MPH).
Riverside Avenue
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Barnett Rd. to approximately 12th St. will be posted at 30 MPH (currently a mix of 35 MPH and 30 MPH).
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12th St. to Jackson St. will be posted at 20 MPH (currently a mix of 25 MPH and 30 MPH).
These changes will affect areas monitored by the City’s photo enforcement program. Notably, the S. Riverside Ave./E. 8th St. intersection, where a red light camera is installed, will be subject to the new 20 MPH speed limit.
Medford Police will not be issuing traffic citations for speed violations at this intersection for the first 30 days after the speed limit reduction. Instead, warning letters will be sent to drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by 11 MPH or more during this 30-day warning period. Citations for speed violations will begin on October 19, 2024.
As a reminder, there are currently five photo-enforced intersections in the City of Medford:
- N. Central Ave./E. 4th St.
- S. Riverside Ave./E. 8th St.
- Biddle Rd./E. McAndrews Rd.
- Barnett Rd./Stewart Ave.
- Crater Lake Hwy./Delta Waters Rd
To help drivers adapt to the new speed limits, the City will place orange flags on the updated speed limit signs for added visibility, and these flags will remain in place for several months.
Medford Police encourages all drivers to stay vigilant, obey posted speed limits, and follow traffic signals to promote safer roads and reduce accidents.
 Medford Police Department's Vehicle Fleet:
The Medford Police Department maintains a diverse fleet of 129 vehicles, which play a crucial role in supporting various operations and units within the department. This fleet includes Administrative vehicles, Criminal Investigations Division (CID) cars, the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team, the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), High-tech Crimes Task Force (HCTF) van, Patrol cars, Livability team vehicles, School Resource Officer (SRO) cars, SWAT vehicles, K9 units, Traffic Team motorcycles, and Volunteer vehicles, among others.
Among these, 29 are designated as patrol vehicles, comprising 24 marked blue and white cars and 5 unmarked supervisor vehicles. The unmarked cars are shared among patrol Sergeants and Corporals, functioning as "pool cars" to enhance operational flexibility. Currently, the department is adding 10 new vehicles to the fleet, including a K9 car, a patrol supervisor vehicle, and eight additional patrol cars. These new additions will replace older vehicles based on criteria such as age, mechanical issues, high mileage, and accident history.
The livability team operates with 6 marked patrol cars and 2 supervisor vehicles, along with 2 Community Service Officer (CSO) trucks and 2 side-by-sides for park and greenway patrol. Each member of the livability team, including supervisors, officers, and CSOs, is assigned a specific vehicle to ensure effective community engagement.
Additionally, the administrative staff, CID, MADGE, IMET, SROs, K9, and traffic enforcement teams each have assigned vehicles, further enhancing the department's ability to serve and protect the community effectively.
 Thank You for a Successful Safety Saturday Event!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Safety Saturday event. Your participation contributed significantly to its success, and we enjoyed connecting with the community while important safety information.
We are already looking forward to next year's event and hope to see all of you there!
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to our partners who collaborated with the Medford Police Department to make this event possible. A special thank you to the Medford Fire Department, Mercy Flights, RVTD, the Medford School District, and the City of Medford Planning Department—your engagement and support were invaluable.
Thank you once again for being a part of Safety Saturday!
 Medford Police Department will be hosting our semi-annual Drug Take Back event on Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm. The event will take place in Medford City Hall parking lot. The lot is positioned between Ivy St. and Oakdale Ave. Please note, you will have to enter the parking lot coming north bound on Ivy Street. Due to traffic control we cannot have people entering off Oakdale Ave.
Important Event Information
During the Take Back Event
- If an original container is submitted, the participant should remove any identifying information from the prescription bottle.
- The participant should ensure the cap is securely tightened on all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids.
- All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. Law Enforcement and Volunteers should not directly handle the medications at any time. Participants will place items in MPD provided box, or they can have the medications/containers in a bag.
- Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box that MPD will provide. However, liquid products, such as cough syrup, must remain sealed in their original container.
Please DO NOT give us the Following:
- Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative/program.
- Intra-venous solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes, chemotherapy medications, vaping devices that have batteries that cannot be removed or medical waste WILL NOT be accepted.
- Other items that will Not be accepted: No thermometers (Mercury), Oxygen containers, and pressurized canisters.
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact our Community Engagement Officer at 541-774-2268.
We will provide further information in the October Newsletter.
 You are Invited to Trunk or Treat with the City of Medford!
Get ready for a fun-filled Halloween celebration! The City of Medford invites you to our Trunk or Treat event on October 31st from 4 PM to 6 PM in the City Hall parking lot.
Bring your little ones for an exciting evening where they can explore a variety of emergency and city vehicles. Kids will have the chance to look inside these fascinating vehicles and learn about the important roles they play in our community. Plus, we’ll be handing out plenty of candy to ensure a sweet Halloween experience!
Don’t miss this opportunity for family fun and community engagement. We can’t wait to see you there!
Adress: 219 S. Ivy St., Medford, OR, 97501
Phone: 541-774-2250
Website: medfordoregon.gov
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