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Safeway purchase deal approved West Medford building costs county $940,000; neighbors defiant in opposition to planned use By Dani Dodge Jackson County commissioners Wednesday approved the controversial purchase of the old Safeway building in West Medford for use as a parole and probation office. The move infuriated the handful of West Medford residents at the meeting. They fear an increase in crime as parolees and probationers wander through their neighborhood to get to their appointments. "We consider this almost a declaration of war against our community," said Roger McPherson, who lives about four blocks from the building. "We�ll do everything in our power to stop this even if it means court action." The county will buy the building at 1101 W. Main St. Medford for $940,000. County officials struck the deal last week, and commissioners Sue Kupillas and Jack Walker ratified it Wednesday after hearing from several members of the community. Commissioner Ric Holt did not attend the meeting. Reached at his home just after the meeting, Holt said he was starting a vacation Wednesday. (He�s leaving today for Nashville for a 60th anniversary of "Gone with the Wind.�� As an 8-month-old infant, Holt appeared in the film classic.) Holt said, however, that he backed his fellow commissioners� decision. ``I was absolutely in support,�� he said. ``We are stewards of the public money.�� Community Corrections Director Bob Grindstaff said the new location will save the county money. Currently, the department is divided between two Medford locations: 100 S. Oakdale and 123 W. 10th St.. ``We are currently paying double for receptionists and computer systems,�� Grindstaff said. Also, he said, the new building will entail remodeling only and not reconstruction, lowering the estimated cost. Officials still plan to add a second floor to the building to accommodate offices for other community service programs, but that floor will fit under the existing high ceiling. Grindstaff said that he expects the introduction of a parole and probation office in the West Medford neighborhood to lower crime rates, not increase them as neighbors say they fear. "Probation officers going in and out discourages crime,�� he said. Jackson County presiding Judge Ross Davis, representing a coalition of public safety officials, said he supported the purchase. ``It is without question an appropriate and needed thing in the community,�� Davis told the commissioners. ``This has been a diligent and open process and I urge you to stay the course." Residents of west Medford said they didn�t believe that the county had explored all the other alternatives, although county officials insisted that they had. The residents also said that their safety is being compromised by the county�s action. "When something happens, and it will," Terah Kropp said to commissioners, "we will hold you responsible." Commissioners said they trust their fellow county officials who tell them that relocation of the office won�t increase crime dangers in the neighborhood. And they said buying the building and moving the office will save money for the county. ``We could not afford to build a new building,�� Walker said. ``And even if we built it 20 miles out in the hills someone won�t like it.�� Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA