January 8th, 2025
Greetings,
I hope this letter finds you well and that you all enjoyed a safe and joyous holiday season. As we move forward into the new year, I’d like to take a moment to address a few timely topics that affect our community’s safety.
First, with the holidays behind us, it’s a good time to refocus on keeping your neighborhood safe and vigilant. Winter often brings challenges, and as we navigate icy roads and shorter daylight hours, please remember to drive cautiously. Reduce speeds on snowy or slick roads and allow extra distance for stopping.
In addition, we must remain mindful of the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. Whether it’s checking your phone, adjusting the radio, or driving under the influence, these actions can have serious and life altering consequences. If you have been drinking, please use a designated driver or rideshare service. Let’s all commit to making responsible decisions to protect ourselves and others.
Thank you for your continued dedication to your neighborhood’s safety. Together, we can ensure a safe and supportive community throughout the winter months and beyond.
Warm regards,
Lt. Don Lane
 The Medford Police Department's K9 program was established in May 1992 and currently includes four highly trained K9s. Two are specialized in apprehension, while the other two focus on drug detection. All MPD K9 officers are certified annually through the Oregon Police Canine Association, ensuring they meet rigorous standards.
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Bishop, a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, joined the Medford Police Department in 2023. As a five-odor detection dog, he is trained to identify methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. His handler, Officer Michael Tucker, works closely with him to maintain his skills.
A key part of Bishop’s training involves proofing, which ensures he alerts only to the specific drug odors he’s trained to detect. Detection K9s like Bishop play a vital role at MPD by enhancing efficiency and helping officers solve cases more quickly.
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Bodie, a two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, joined the Medford Police Department in 2023 and is also handled by Officer Michael Tucker. As a four-odor detection dog, Bodie is trained to identify methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. His training, similar to that of K9 Bishop, emphasizes proofing to ensure he reliably detects only the specific drug odors he’s trained for. |
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Bruno, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, is expertly trained in tracking, criminal apprehension, evidence recovery, and more. He began his training with his handler, Officer Zach Mailand, in September 2022, completing a six-week program at a police canine academy. After graduating and earning certification through the Oregon Police Canine Association, Bruno now actively serves in the field while continuing weekly training sessions with Officer Mailand. |
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Koda, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, joined the Medford Police Department in March 2024. Partnered with Officer Justin McFetridge, Koda is expertly trained in tracking, as well as article and building searches. |
Distracted driving is particularly dangerous within city limits, where traffic density, pedestrians, and frequent stops demand a driver’s full attention.
In Oregon, it is illegal to drive while holding or using a mobile electronic device, such as a cell phone, tablet, GPS, or laptop. This law aims to prevent accidents caused by distractions that impair reaction time and situational awareness. However, exceptions exist: drivers aged 18 or older may use hands-free or built-in devices, perform a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate a function, make calls to summon medical help when no one else is available, or use the device when safely parked off the roadway in a designated spot.
It is crucial to note that using a device while stopped at a red light, stop sign, or in traffic is not permitted. Staying focused and adhering to these laws helps reduce accidents and save lives, especially in busy urban areas where split-second decisions are vital.
The penalties for distracted driving are:
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First Offense; that does not contribute to a crash is a Class B Violation with a fine of up to $1,000.
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Second offense or a first offense contributing to a crash is a Class A Violation, with fines up to $2,000.
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Third offense within ten years is a Class B Misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $2,500 and the possibility of six months in jail.
*Note: There is a course for first-time offenders.
These penalties highlight the importance of driving responsibly and staying alert to protect everyone on the road.
In Support of CASA!
We had the honor of teaming up with Santa and Mrs. Claus to support CASA of Jackson County Giving Tree campaign. Our officers visited the Jackson County Circuit Courts and Lithia Motors to pick up generous donations of toys, clothes, and gift cards for child in foster/resource care. The Grinch even made an appearance.... don't worry, we kept him in check and delivered ALL the gifts safely.
We hope these thoughtful donations help bring joy to these children during the holidays. Thank you to CASA for the incredible work you do!
Dear Neighborhood Watch Members,
We would love to provide our active Neighborhood Watch groups the opportunity to meet the uniformed patrol officer assigned to their neighborhood beat. A beat is a specific area in Medford that a patrol officer is responsible for during their shift. Officers are assigned to a beat for six months and may be reassigned to the same beat repeatedly.
The goal of this meeting is to give your neighborhood a chance to share concerns about your area and engage in a Q&A session where the officer can provide insights into their role and the work they do.
If your neighborhood would benefit from this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to schedule a meeting with your group!
If you’re unfamiliar with Neighborhood Watch and are curious or have questions, we encourage you to reach out as well. We’re here to help!
My contact info: engagempd@cityofmedford.org or 541-774-2268.
Sincerely,
Cara Sparks
 The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraising event where participants brave freezing temperatures to plunge into icy waters, all to support Special Olympics Oregon. This organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through these programs, athletes have opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share their skills and friendship with their families, other athletes, and the community.
The Medford Police Department is looking forward to participating in the 2025 Polar Plunge as a team.
Adress: 219 S. Ivy St., Medford, OR, 97501
Phone: 541-774-2250
Website: medfordoregon.gov
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