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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Rogue Valley boat makers floating higher as economy improves ... Jackson County Jail needs help ... Forest Service battles fire in Kalmiopsis Wilderness ... Rogue Valley boat makers floating higher as economy improves ... Jackson County Jail needs help ... Forest Service battles fire in Kalmiopsis Wilderness ... Police, neighbors work together to curtail damage to Prescott Park By Jessica Smith MailTribune.com By Jessica Smith Posted Jul. 22, 2000 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2010 at 5:21 AM By Jessica Smith Posted Jul. 22, 2000 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2010 at 5:21 AM » Social News ?It used to be a beautiful place? Police, neighbors work together to curtail damage to Prescott Park — They come to Prescott Park for the view and a little privacy — they leave behind quite a mess. And that has Medford police officer Rob Havice working overtime. In June, Havice logged 43 extra hours as he patrolled the rustic 1,740-acre park atop Roxy Ann Peak. The spot is a favorite for area teens, who trek up the hill at night to drink and talk, away from their watchful parents. Problem is, no one's allowed in the city-owned park at night, which closes at 10:30 p.m. And the park and surrounding hills are starting to look pretty shabby with bottles, broken glass and trash strewn about, neighbors and others say. Deep ruts carved into the sun-bleached grass — not to mention occasional abandoned trucks — are evidence of the four-wheel drive and off-road vehicles that rumble up the hillsides at all hours of the night. A broken hide-a-bed perches on a knoll, its mattress splayed out a few yards away. It used to be a beautiful place before all the vandals came in, says Havice, 34, an eight-year Medford police veteran who upped the patrols at the park to prevent after-hours use. Right now, no one can really enjoy the park because of the trash and damage to the area, he adds. But here's what really upsets Havice — the disrespect vandals have shown to the memory of George J. Prescott, the park's namesake and a slain Medford police officer who was highly regarded for his courage and kindness. The thing that really eats me is that someone took the memorial sign for Prescott, Havice says. He wants to replace the sign near the picnic and parking area in the park with a bronze plaque honoring Prescott, who was shot and killed March 16, 1933. Havice also is working with the city parks department to install a second gate on Roxy Ann Road to further deter trespassing. During the day, the park is a haven for hikers and mountain-bikers. Families spread out picnics on the tables and watch for deer in the oaks and madrones. You?d be amazed at what kind of activities take place up here, Havice says. But come nighttime, it turns into the wrong kind of activities. Residents of the Eagle Trace subdivision, nestled into the base of Roxy Ann, know all too well about the problems Havice combats. When we walk up there, we can see evidence of kids having parties. There's trash everywhere, says Diane Hearth. She and her husband, Bob, live in the last house on Cherry Lane before the road runs up into the hills to a vacant development site. That's where people hang out, Hearth says. And they all drive up and down (the road) so fast, she adds. From June 9-30, when Havice spent six hours a night patrolling the subdivision and nearby hills, he nabbed about a dozen speeders and reckless drivers. He also issued 29 trespass citations, eight curfew violations and five alcohol-related citations. About 70 people were cited for being in the park after hours. This is a classic example where straight-out patrols really help matters, says Medford police Chief Eric Mellgren, who encourages officers to find ways to solve ongoing problems in the community. Hearth says she can see the progress Havice has made in her neighborhood. There's not as much late-night traffic, for one thing. I do think it's been a benefit to have a police officer in the area, she adds. It's making a difference. Apart from trash and trespassing, Havice says he's especially concerned about the fire hazard created by vehicles being driven off road. The park is closed to vehicles in the summer because of the threat of fire. Six years ago, an overheated car lit a blaze at the base of Roxy Ann that blackened 150 acres and threatened 21 of Medford's most exclusive homes. It's just a matter of time before another off-road vehicle tracks through the tall, dry grass and ignites flames, Havice says. If we have a fire up here now, we'd lose all these homes, he adds, pointing out the sprawling housing developments that skirt Roxy Ann. Encouraged by the results of the trial patrol program, Havice says he plans to keep it up with the help of fellow officers. It?ll continue until we get the point across to people that it's not acceptable to come up here and damage city property or private property. By Jessica Smith MailTribune.com By Jessica Smith Posted Jul. 22, 2000 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2010 at 5:21 AM » 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... 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