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Bucking a reputation as one of the state’s most dangerous cities , Medford is on track to see its second straight year of reduced crime. For the first eight months of this year, Medford saw a 17.7 percent drop in “Part I” crimes — which include of a mix of violent and property crimes, from homicide and assault to vehicle theft and burglary — and a 13.5 percent drop in crime overall, according to the latest reports available. If the trend continues, it’ll be the second year in a row of reduced crime. In 2017, there were 7,114 Part 1 incidents, down 4.5 percent from the 7,447 recorded in 2016. Medford police Chief Randy Sparacino points to “several factors” in the reductions he’s seeing, ranging from expanded jail space in the past two years to more boots on the ground. In 2016 and the first few months of 2017, the Jackson County Jail had a capacity of 230 beds. In April 2017, capacity expanded to 292 after Sheriff Nathan Sickler reopened the jail basement . Jackson County had the second-most releases because of overcrowding in the state in 2017, according to Oregon State Sheriff’s Association numbers. Jackson County’s 3,922 releases because of overcrowding in 2017 were 1,200 fewer than Josephine County and 431 releases ahead of Clackamas County. In September, the sheriff’s office reorganized the jail to expand capacity to 300 inmates during the day, and 315 at night. Expanded jail capacity reduces the risk of repeat offenses, according to Sparacino. “You’ll have less recidivism if they’re not out and they’re incarcerated,” Sparacino said. The improving economy is another tailwind which can lead to fewer property crimes, according to Sparacino. Thefts are by far the most-reported crime in Part I, making up more than 62 percent. The 2,658 theft reports were a 20.2 percent drop from the 3,332 reported last year. All theft subcategories, such as shoplifting, bicycle theft and theft from vehicles, saw reductions. The most dramatic drop was theft from buildings, which dropped 58.2 percent from 134 incidents in the first eight months of 2017 to 56 this year. In all of 2017, Medford saw 5.2 percent fewer thefts than in 2016. More theft cases were cleared with an arrest compared to the first eight months of last year, the numbers show. The 45.2 percent clearance rate is 16.2 percent better compared to the same point last year. In all of 2017, 32.7 percent of theft cases were cleared, a 5.1 percent improvement from all of 2016. Clearance rates in 2018 for all Part I crimes show an 11.9 percent improvement, reaching 48.7 percent, and department wide show a 5.8 percent improvement to 79.2 percent. Sparacino attributed the higher clearance rates to his staff’s concerted efforts. “It’s the officers going out there and clearing cases,” Sparacino said. There’s also more staff compared to last year, when the agency averaged roughly five vacancies at any given point. “We’re currently at full staff,” Sparacino said. Even if a vacancy occurs because of a retirement high up in the ranks, it ultimately impacts the number of patrol officers — the entry level for sworn positions. “The vacancies fall in patrol first,” Sparacino said. Sparacino described efforts to delay promotions until the patrol division is up and running, along with steps to speed portions of a strenuous and lengthy hiring process. For a new candidate who hasn’t been through the police academy before, the hiring process can take the better part of a year before he or she is ready for patrol. “It takes a significant amount of time before an officer is actually impacting things out on the road,” Sparacino said. Sparacino said the agency has taken steps to speed portions of the hiring process over the past year, such as assigning a part-time detective sergeant solely to performing the detailed background checks required. In practice, full staffing allows Medford police officers such as Jennifer Newell an additional degree of “downtime” between calls, giving her time to build her rapport with homeless people on her downtown beat. On a typical day, Newell said she starts her shift at Alba and Hawthorne parks seeing “who’s up and who’s down” in the homeless community. With a firm but respectful tone, Newell takes theft reports when someone’s property has been taken, and makes sure park rules are being followed. The extra time for making contacts also helps close crimes beyond the homeless community. For example, while investigating a recent string of taggings around the city, Newell was able to draw from homeless people in the park to get a nickname. Based on her own contact, she already knew the suspect’s full name. “I can put a face with a name, and we actually end up solving a lot of crime,” Newell said, “which is actually really nice.” Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @ MTCrimeBeat .