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Since You Asked: Is Medford crime on the rise? Thursday Oct 26, 2017 at 12:01 AM I haven't lived in Medford for very long, but a few scary things have happened in my neighborhood recently. For instance, I live not far from where a woman was stabbed Oct. 2. The general feeling among my neighbors is that crime is bad and getting worse in Medford. Is it true that violent and property crime is on the rise here? — Anna S., Medford You are not wrong about crime rates getting worse in Medford, Anna, but exact statistics are tough to pin down. In July, Medford Police Chief Randy Sparacino said property crimes were up 4.5 percent and violent crimes were up 0.7 percent over 2016. The prevalence of drug addiction and an overcrowded jail have been cited by the county’s presiding judge for a spike in local crimes, according to previous news reports. An audit conducted by consultants hired through a U.S. Department of Justice agency in October concluded that the jail is too small. — 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]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.