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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Grass fire snuffed in northeast Medford ... Man pleads guilty to starting Boles fire in Weed ... County will help gauge proposed casino's impacts ... Grass fire snuffed in northeast Medford ... Man pleads guilty to starting Boles fire in Weed ... County will help gauge proposed casino's impacts ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Blue markers around town are here to help, not harm MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Jun. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> What's the purpose of the blue reflectors on Medford streets? There's one at Grape and Eleventh, off-center. Prevailing theory around here is that they're ISIS assembly points for the coming invasion. — Ben, via email Unfortunately, at the time the reflectors were installed, I don't think there's any way the city of Medford could have predicted that that would ever have arisen as a theory. Never fear, though. Far from being intended as aids to any threat to domestic security, those little pieces of blue plexiglass embedded in the asphalt have a far less dire purpose. It may have understandably escaped your notice, but each of those reflectors is accompanied by a nearby neighbor: a fire hydrant. Once upon a time, the city thought fire trucks could use help identifying the locations of fire hydrants around town, so they installed the blue markers to help out. The Public Works Department doesn't seem to remember when the reflectors were installed. Public Works Director Cory Crebbin, who's worked for the city for 16 years, says they have been here since before he arrived. Over time, though, many of them have been chipped away or destroyed, and the city decided not to maintain or replace them. The ones that remain may not be around for much longer. There's not much call for them anymore ,as fire engines have mobile technology that can locate fire hydrants and units have naturally memorized where they are over the years.  So fear not: Rather than representing target marks for terrorists, the reflectors are pretty innocuous, just an extra measure from the city to help keep Medford residents safe. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501