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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Eagle Point church meets $1 million fundraising goal Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Ex-Daimler Portland engineer files $2 million discrimination suit Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Oregon committee hears bill preventing child access to guns Water shortage hits riverfront city Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Gloria Ruth Pelett Allsup Tobi Andrews (Sherri M. Wagler) Cynthia Rose Spies Robert Lynn Jolliffe Charles Henry Herman “Hank” Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Randall drives SOU into postseason South’s Gillispie shines in showdown Courting Juli Blazers, Grizzlies gear up Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Varsity 541 College Sports Randall drives SOU into postseason Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Beavers ring in new era with spring game Comfort Zone Pro Sports Blazers, Grizzlies gear up Manziel issues apology to Browns, fans Ticket mystery surrounds mega fight Merritt sets record, but Spieth surges Foreman turned life around as teen in GP Community Sports Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices People in Business Blog: Spring Cleaning: Revisited Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Zombies join in the horror produced by local game companies Real Estate News Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Impeachment should be an option Editorials Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 17 Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Columns The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Guest Opinions The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Eagle Point church meets $1 million fundraising goal ... The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework ... The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history ... Eagle Point church meets $1 million fundraising goal ... The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework ... The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history ... Parking garages: HOW SAFE ARE THEY? One local woman decided not to use them after seeing two apparently homeless men using drugs inside the Middleford parking structure When Kelly Gonzales parked her sport-utility vehicle on the top floor of the Middleford parking garage Wednesday morning, she did a double-take at two transient-looking guys huddled in a corner. Comment By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated May 31, 2012 at 10:18 AM By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated May 31, 2012 at 10:18 AM » Social News When Kelly Gonzales parked her sport-utility vehicle on the top floor of the Middleford parking garage Wednesday morning, she did a double-take at two transient-looking guys huddled in a corner. "They were sitting against the wall passing what looked like a glass pipe, smoke curling out of their mouths," said Gonzales, who works at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater. Gonzales, who said she was expressing her own opinions and not those of the Craterian, said the latest incident as well as a general increase in criminal behavior leave her feeling unsafe parking in the garage. Her perception is shared by many who view the parking structures as unsafe, despite statistics showing that crime rates in the parking garages aren't high. However, city officials say that not all unusual behavior in the parking structures has been reported to Medford police. After hearing about Gonzales' situation, the city has instructed Diamond Parking Services to report incidents it handles to the police. When Gonzales saw the men smoking from the glass pipe, she put her SUV in reverse and drove to the lower level of the downtown parking garage to report the incident to Diamond Parking, which manages parking enforcement for the city Gonzales said one of the Diamond staff members said she had noticed the two men the night before. Another staff member decided to check the situation out but didn't call the police. Gonzales said the reaction — or, more precisely, lack of reaction — from the Diamond employees has convinced her not to renew her three-month parking permit that will expire this weekend. Instead, she said, she will park for one to two hours at a time in more visible locations despite the inconvenience of having to constantly move her vehicle. Gonzales, who recently lived in Santa Rosa, Calif., for three years, said she was alarmed last year when she moved back to Medford and noticed an increase in crime. Gonzales had previously worked for the Britt Festival. "Since I came back, I have been appalled at all the crimes, including rapes, a decapitation and shootings," she said. Gonzales said she is concerned not only for herself, but for others, including volunteers and patrons of the Craterian, who often come out of shows late at night. She said she has heard other stories about unsavory behavior in the parking garages, including the theft of a vehicle. Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said he believes the parking garages are as safe as anywhere in downtown Medford, but he understands why someone, and particularly a woman, would choose not to use them in the evenings. "I think that she brings up a good point," he said. "You could have somebody with you, or park your car in a safer area if you are concerned." Budreau said statistics don't show a big crime problem in the parking garages. At Middleford, off of Sixth Street, Medford police responded to 15 calls since June 1, 2011. These included disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, fraud, intimidation, theft and vandalism. At the Evergreen garage off of Main Street, nine cases were reported during the same period, including vandalism, theft, trespassing and two suspects taken into custody for mental health evaluation. Budreau said Gonzales is correct in her assessment that crime has increased in general in the valley, though it's difficult to pinpoint the cause. "We don't know for sure it is the economy, or that there is not enough room in the jail to hold them, or it's the same subjects over and over again," he said. A representative at Diamond Parking referred any questions to Lynette O'Neal, assistant to Medford's deputy city manager. O'Neal said there is an unwarranted perception that the parking garages are unsafe. O'Neal said crime statistics collected by the police might not reflect unreported unusual behavior or other odd circumstances that might occur in the parking garages. She said she has asked Diamond employees to provide information to police about any situations they might handle on their own to improve police statistics. The city does have a security company — Maximum Security — which patrols the garages and parking areas at night, she said. She said that security personnel and the Medford police respond quickly to any situation in the parking garages. The manager for Diamond has been trained in dealing with potential criminal situations and previously worked as a security guard, O'Neal said. The Middleford garage will soon become more visible to passersby, potentially making it feel safer. As part of The Commons project, the brick covering the stairwells will be taken down. "It will be open glass instead of brick," O'Neal said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email [email protected]. By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted May. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated May 31, 2012 at 10:18 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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