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Citizens start patrols near Medford Senior Center Jon Grimes, left, and Mike Moore, of Medford, patrol the parking lot of the Medford Senior Center Tuesday with Grimes' German shepherd Riley. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch Thursday Jan 26, 2017 at 1:14 PM Jan 26, 2017 at 3:21 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Concerned with reports of crime and aggressive behavior by transients around the Medford Senior Center, members of the Jackson County Scanner Group, a Facebook-based "neighborhood watch" of sorts, have decided to walk their own beat to offer some peace of mind for seniors who use the downtown center. "Patrols" began this week with members — and even some canines — walking the pathways and parking lot around the downtown structure tucked alongside a parking lot in the shadow of the I-5 viaduct. On Tuesday, Medford residents Jon Grimes and Mike Moore walked laps around the parking lot and along Main and Almond streets with Grimes' German shepherd Riley. Grimes said the group took action after hearing reports of car break-ins and stolen purses at the senior center. "We're not vigilantes or anything. But we just want to have a presence and hopefully make them feel safer. I think with more people visible in the parking lot, it makes people less likely to try to get into somebody's car or cause any trouble," Grimes said, noting that patrols are focused around early morning, lunchtime and when the center closes each evening. "The Greenway comes through here, and Hawthorne Park is cleaned up more than it was, but there are still issues," he said. Moore said he sympathizes with people who are homeless, but he has minimal tolerance for people looking to target seniors. "There are people who are just looking for work and down on their luck, and there are people looking to cause problems. The kind of people you're dealing with here are not the kind that are looking for work or have good intentions," Moore said. "I walk around the parking lot, make sure people haven't left cars unlocked and that they haven't left something on the seat that could tempt a broken window. They're a different generation and they're more trusting, but it's not 1990 anymore." People who use the center say that overall they feel safe there, but some agreed that recent crime issues are cause for concern. Senior center member Beverly Carichoff said she makes a habit of traveling to and from the parking lot with other members. "It's a little more concerning when it's dark, so we usually walk in pairs. It's not a bad area, and it's gotten better than it was," Carichoff said. "I've never really felt uncomfortable, but I think it's good to be careful." Medford police Lt. Justin Ivens applauded the efforts of the Scanner Group. "I think it's absolutely great. I think that helping the elderly like that is awesome. They want to be able to go down there and enjoy their senior center and not feel intimidated," Ivens said. "It's a busy area with the bike path, some main streets nearby and a lot of public parking. We're not opposed to the idea, but obviously we just want them to be careful and keep us notified of criminal activity." Ryan Mallory, vice president of the senior center board and an administrator of the Facebook Scanner Group, said he felt the community patrols were a great way to get members involved in the community and help a sometimes vulnerable population. The senior center, Mallory noted, struggles with a limited budget and nonexistent funding for security. Mallory is hopeful more volunteers will step up and that donations can be made toward improving security at the center. "This is a place with not much money, so the best we could come up with, for now, was to have volunteers in the parking lot. A lot of members drive by to check on them and, if I'm in Medford, I swing by on my way home at night," Mallory said. "Long term, cameras would be wonderful. If somebody donated cameras, I'd find somebody to put them up for free." Volunteer Michele Vaughn, who spends Tuesdays at the center, said the Scanner group's efforts, however big or small, are appreciated. "I think they make people feel more secure. Most of these people here, this is their life. They don't have anywhere else to go instead of being at home alone," Vaughn said. "I think it's a positive that the community wants to help. How can we turn down people who want to do something helpful or show that they care about their neighbors? I think it's just really nice of them to want to do that." For information about volunteering, see www.facebook.com/groups/jcscanner or email [email protected]. To donate to the center, go to medfordseniorcenter.org. — Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected].