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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 15, 2006 Officers field questions on community policing By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune With a combined 82 years of law enforcement experience, three local police officers took to the podium Saturday to discuss the idea of "community policing". Medford police Lt. Mike Moran said the line has blurred in recent years between community and traditional policing. He said traditional values such as keeping officers trained in the basics — driving, using weapons correctly and responding to emergencies — is the foundation of community policing. "The term ‘community policing’ is probably overused or misused," he said. "The bottom line is listening to your constituents and serving them." Moran was joined by Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters and Ashland police Chief Mike Bianca. They fielded questions and sometimes heated comments from the crowd of about 40 in attendance. The forum was hosted by the Southern Oregon Chapter of the ACLU at Medford’s Central Library. It came two months after an Ashland group announced a "community policing" ordinance that calls for a cooperative model of law enforcement. In theory, this model would place citizens and police on common ground, as opposed to the police department acting unilaterally in enforcing laws within a community. Topics ranged from panhandling in Ashland to the protest in Jacksonville during President Bush’s visit in October 2004. Shelly Elkovich criticized the sheriff’s department’s handling of the protesters during the rally. She said that the police used draconian tactics to clear protesters from the streets as Bush’s motorcade made its way to the Jacksonville Inn. Police arrested two protesters and fired pepper balls into the crowd that day. "I think the police are becoming increasingly militarized," she said. "I really started to pay attention to police issues after what I saw in Jacksonville." Winters suggested that a dialogue between police and protesters in the future could keep such problems at bay. He said his deputies already perform most of the functions proposed in the ordinance. He argued it is impossible to initial a uniform protocol for agencies across the country to follow because of the differences between regions. "We have a huge rural environment," he said. "We’re not crammed in together out here. Our needs are different than those in New York City." He cited the difficulty of maintaining a community presence in cities such as White City and Eagle Point. His agency is expected to patrol 2,800 square miles with fewer than 40 deputies. Forum moderator Jeff Golden said he has heard significant interest in police matters though his show, The Jefferson Exchange, on Jefferson Public Radio. "There’s thousands of people concerned about the balance of security and freedom," he said. "We’re living in frightening times." The effectiveness of community policing hinges on a shift in how the public perceives police, according to Bianca. "The predominant response to police for American citizens is fear," he said. Bianca touted a philosophy of officers putting people at ease instead of intimidating them. In addition, he criticized models where efficacy measured by statistical data such as arrest and response numbers. Moran said he would like to see more people volunteer to work alongside officers in neighborhood-watch programs and bike path patrols. Only 20 or so volunteers work with Medford police. Citizen volunteers could take the lead on minor crimes, freeing officers to work major cases. "The police should not be afraid of citizen involvement," he said Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Officers field questions on community policing ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations dvd-r Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s