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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 9, 2006 SinceWEAsked: Small-town police forces Phoenix Police Chief Bob Kershaw resigned March 29 after being arrested on felony tampering and forgery charges. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department stepped in to handle law enforcement in the town. We ask: "Should the sheriff’s department provide law enforcement for small towns or should small towns maintain their own police forces?" After you read through the answers from our Web readers, check out our new question, which pertains to extending the life of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. Advertisement I believe every town should have their own police department. They know what is going on in their small area and it is easier to patrol. Judy W., Talent Of course, the citizens deserve police protection too. The city should pay for those services, though, as if they had their own police force. —Julie, Medford "Small towns should keep local control of police and fire departments. The key word is "local" which personalizes the departments with the residents." —Willa J., Phoenix No, the sheriff's department is stretched too thin in the county as it is. It would be unfair for citizens that don't live in a defined city to not get a fast response from officers because they are too busy taking care of some inner city dispute that could be handled by a city police officer. Each city needs a police department. —Cindy, Medford Small police departments like Phoenix have no accountability. Kershaw is like Sheriff Roscoe with Boss Hogg Mayor Parducci. Abolish Phoenix PD. Sheriff do your duty. —Frank J., Cyberspace In a case like this, yes the sheriff's office should cover these small towns. The residents pay county taxes just like everyone else, so they should have coverage when it is needed. But, since the city has allocated funds for the police department, those funds should be given to the county to cover at least some of the extra expenses. —Kathy M., Medford As a former police officer for a small town in Jackson County, small towns provide great service to the public. Unless money or services suffer — Keep them! — Ruben G., Summerset, S.D. Given the history of corruption that has been listed. I think there needs to be some sort of overseer to the department. Having lived in Phoenix, I know that it takes the officers 25 minutes to respond to a call that is right next door to them. I lived in the condos and reported a break-in with three officers standing outside the back door, it took me walking out and asking them if they were on duty or just hanging to get them to respond to the break-in. Seeing as it would fall to the sheriff's office in other counties to serve outlying towns I feel that yes, the Jackson County Sheriff should be the ones overseeing Phoenix and Talent. Also to be considered is who hired the last to Bozo Chiefs? They obviously need their heads examined if they had foreknowledge of the problem prone chiefs before hiring them. Shoddy management led to shoddy work ethics. —Michelle, Medford The Sheriff's Department is stretched way too thin now as it is. As for the recent Phoenix fiasco, I can honestly say I am glad that the Sheriff's Department was there to step in. —Kim, Medford This week’s question The Medford City Council is weighing whether to extend the life of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency so the downtown-revitalizing agency can help create Middleford Commons, a proposed $147 million, six-block development with Lithia Motors headquarters as its anchor. We asked: "What advice would you give the Medford City Council as it ponders granting the Medford Urban Renewal Agency a 12-year extension to assist with Middleford Commons, a proposed downtown development that would house Lithia Motors’ headquarters?" Please keep your answers brief and on the issue at hand. Responses received without your name and town can not be considered for publication. All responses will appear on the Web site a week from today. You may submit your answer by using the form here on the Web site, or you may respond directly to SinceWEAsked: Small-town police forces ">[email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos GMAT Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement