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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 FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses ... The writing's on the wall ... Oregon Republicans bruised by 'partisan' legislative session ... Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses ... The writing's on the wall ... Oregon Republicans bruised by 'partisan' legislative session ... OUR VIEW Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 10:29 AM Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 10:29 AM » Social News The weather is turning colder, which means it's time for the annual dilemma facing the area's homeless population and the people and organizations that want to help them. Central Point city officials should find a way to accommodate a church that wants to provide a warming center, and church leaders should make sure the seasonal shelter doesn't become a permanent fixture or a neighborhood nuisance. No one begrudges a church that allows people to spend the night inside on the floor when outside temperatures dip below freezing. But neighbors don't appreciate a warming center proposed to be open on the coldest nights instead evolving into a five-days-a-week operation providing meals, showers and dog kennels. The city's assertion that it would be liable if someone were assaulted or a fire broke out is hard to understand. Certainly the church providing shelter could face liability issues if someone were injured on its property as a result, but the city should be able to limit its exposure by changing the city code to require insurance before a warming station is opened. City officials allowed Calvary Church to open a warming station in 2009 after a homeless man froze to death in Medford. The city code doesn't permit a shelter in a commercial zone, which is where the church sits, but agreed to allow it because it served a vulnerable population. The operation grew, however, to become a full-fledged shelter, and neighbors complained of noise, trash and other problems. Homelessness presents a dilemma for any community. The natural human response to people sleeping outdoors in sub-freezing weather is to want to help, and Calvary Church and others are trying to do that. On the other hand, community residents have the right to expect peace and quiet in their neighborhoods, and some in the homeless population represent the threat of violence and other illegal behavior. Church officials say they won't defy the city's order against opening the warming station, but they are torn. City officials say they don't want to prevent people from helping others but are bound to uphold the zoning laws, adding that they hope "resources in the valley" will step forward with needed services. It's a familiar refrain: Let someone else take care of the problem. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 10:29 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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 2015 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501