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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Digging deep into trench rescue training ... Why we sing for peace (part II) ... Ticket availability ... Digging deep into trench rescue training ... Why we sing for peace (part II) ... Ticket availability ... OUR VIEW Our View: Downtown diligence Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The weather is getting warmer, and the summer tourist season is nearly here. That means the city must take concerted action to make downtown streets more welcoming to visitors, and that means dealing with those among the transient population who have caused problems by their behavior toward visitors and residents alike. Mayor John Stromberg and City Administrator Dave Kanner have released an initial report in today's Daily Tidings outlining steps the city has taken. Those include two police officers assigned to patrol downtown at all times and doubling the number of police cadets from four to eight to assist them. In addition, a city ordinance now bans panhandling at outdoor eating areas, ATMs and bank entrances, and a 6-foot pathway must be maintained at all times on downtown sidewalks. The city's municipal judge now has the power to jail those who break city, state or federal laws. That is especially important in light of the incident this week in which a police officer was struck in the face after he confronted a man who appeared to be smoking marijuana in Lithia Park. The report acknowledges that the fundamental societal problem that contributes to the downtown issues has no simple solution, and the city's resources are limited. But the steps being taken should help. The city must respect the rights of all people, and that's why the rules appropriately focus on behavior rather than a person's status. The mayor and other city leaders deserve credit for working to confront this problem. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501