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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 Home News Latest Stories Rogue River man convicted of kidnapping, assault Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup Tripp Street closure planned for today, Thursday 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services, May 11 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Rogue River man convicted of kidnapping, assault Emergency services, May 11 Police reports Medford police use anti-overdose nasal spray to revive heroin victim Emergency Services, March 10 Politics and Elections Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Education St. Mary's reaches out to China Work your body to save your braaaaains Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Environment Low snow closes Mt. 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Christofferson Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Raiders romp to victory in NAIA start North Medford downs Klamath Argentina probes copter wreck as France mourns Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders romp to victory in NAIA start Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title Beaver QB race down to three players Ducks prep for multiple foes Raiders out to end drought in NAIA tourney Pro Sports James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Race safety measures become hot topic Wheeler-dealer Kelly trades Foles for Bradford Trades steal spotlight from free agents Community Sports Business Latest Stories Jackson County jobless rate falls to 7.7 percent Blog: Manufacturing leads Oregon's export expansion Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Four Rogue Valley companies make business magazine's top-100 list Blog: Cash deals for homes remains in decline Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Kent Bush: The Internet is governed by people who have never sent an email Letters to the Editor, March 11 Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Landgren cartoon: Farewell to circus elephants Editorials Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Our View: Atkins a safe choice for secretary of state Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 10 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 8 Letters to the Editor, March 7 Columns Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Kent Bush: Things will never change unless we change them Michael Gerson: Viewing Ferguson from Selma — and fixing it Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets The Pacific Crest Trail in 30 Years Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Derek Kelly: Putting the pieces back together Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Food Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Page H. Onorato: Try out this hot stuff in your kitchen on a cold night Serra storms Seattle Home and Garden Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Home Help: 4 ways to redefine your outdoor space Health Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Theater Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' Music Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... What you'll find at the growers markets this week ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... What you'll find at the growers markets this week ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report By Tim George MailTribune.com By Tim George Posted Mar. 9, 2015 @ 11:43 am By Tim George Posted Mar. 9, 2015 @ 11:43 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" --> Recently (Feb. 3), there was an article posted on the website “24/7 Wall Street” concerning cities with rising crime rates from 2009-2013. This article was followed by one in USA Today. This article stated Medford’s violent crime rate had risen some 80.1 percent in the past five years. While I would agree that in the years from 2009 to 2013, Medford’s crime rate has risen, these numbers seemed both high and inaccurate. There are a number of variables that at first blush were not taken into consideration with the article’s ranking of our city. The statistics used for this ranking concern the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes all law enforcement agencies in Jackson County that report crime statistics to the FBI — not just Medford. As we looked deeper into this report we found 70 percent of all violent crime in our MSA was aggravated assaults.  For reporting purposes, violent crimes include murder/manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.  An audit of Medford’s 2013 aggravated assault cases found we (Medford Police) were too liberal in our coding, resulting in approximately 125 assault cases being changed back to “simple assaults.” That dropped the MSA violent crime rate by 30.8 percent which in turn changed the total violent crime rate for the five-year period to 49.6 percent, not the 80.4 percent reported in the article.  While still not good, it is not as drastic as initially reported. How other agencies have reported, or coded, their aggravated assaults, or how they interpreted the FBI’s definition is unknown to us. We can only assume there are many other variables that come into play when reporting crime. In Oregon in 2012, strangulation was increased to a felony assault in certain circumstances, which increased the total aggravated assault numbers. Before it was mandated to classify strangulation as an aggravated assault, it was classified based on level of injury to the victim, so it could have been reported as either aggravated assault or simple assault.   The lack of public safety resources in some regions can also have an impact on the ability to respond to calls for service, let alone file a correct report. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report site did not reflect any violent crime data from some Oregon jurisdictions in certain years.   Unfortunately, in Oregon, if you are the victim of an aggravated assault, or other person crime, the overwhelming odds are the suspect will be known to you. This drives our aggravated assault numbers, as the majority of these cases occur in domestic violence situations. This is an area of concern that we are addressing with more effort.   What really matters is an agency’s trust with the community it serves. This trust results in citizens reporting all crimes that they are a victim of, or have information on. This not only results in a true picture of the crimes occurring in our jurisdiction, but allows us the opportunity to have an impact by investigating/solving them. The Medford Police Department is diligent in both the taking of a crime report and reporting our year-end crime numbers to the state. The FBI receives the numbers from the state for its Uniform Crime Report.   Medford has not experienced a murder or non-negligent manslaughter in the last year and a half. That is great news! We have worked hard to investigate and take appropriate action in all domestic violence investigations. The follow-up work our Domestic Violence Advocate and our grant-funded Domestic Violence Officer do in domestic violence investigations is paying off. This is reducing the threat and providing safety for victims. Hopefully, our aggravated assault numbers will also begin to decrease. There are a number of variables that drive violent crime in a community. Our serious drug problem combined with continued domestic/sexual violence occurrences are two we face frequently. Even one violent crime is one too many. The Medford Police Department is committed to the investigation of every violent crime. Our promise to the citizens of Medford is to give each victim our best effort. We always have — and we always will. While there may be nothing “uniform” about the Uniform Crime Report, there will be uniformity in how the Medford Police Department responds, reports, and investigates each violent crime. That is our promise to you.     Tim George is Medford's chief of police. By Tim George MailTribune.com By Tim George Posted Mar. 9, 2015 @ 11:43 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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