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0 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 Fill up on Growler Guys ... Sheriff Falls pulls plug on Shady Cove video security system ... Oregon State Police involved in Salem shooting after suspect flees ... Fill up on Growler Guys ... Sheriff Falls pulls plug on Shady Cove video security system ... Oregon State Police involved in Salem shooting after suspect flees ... OUR VIEW Our View: Ashland can't ease past travelers issue Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:46 AM Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:46 AM » Social News Ashland Police chief Tighe O'Meara says the city needs to take a "holistic approach" to deal with an "uptick in reports of quality of life issues." We doubt that offers much relief to the shoppers and merchants who have been on the receiving end of those "issues." Here's what the "quality of life issues" really are: harassment of downtown passersby, sexual harassment of women, aggressive panhandling and just plain rude behavior. Safe to say the quality of life on Ashland's sidewalks ain't what it used to be. The problem posed by transients who hang out along the downtown sidewalks should be viewed by city officials as more than a mere annoyance. It is a real threat to a city that caters to tourists and shoppers who come for its theater, its boutiques and restaurants and its charm. The shine is taken off that charm when visitors have to cross the street to avoid being confronted by obnoxious panhandlers or when women are getting the modern-day equivalent of the wolf whistle — equivalent that is, except for the aura of threat that comes with it. City officials and police say the problem lies not with the city's resident homeless, but with a growing group of travelers, transients in the true sense who take a respite from their wandering and park in Ashland for days, weeks or longer. That may be true, but it doesn't absolve the city of needing to deal with it. That's not to say the city is ignoring it. Mayor John Stromberg and Councilor Stefani Seffinger will meet with community members from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the City Council chambers at 1175 E. Main St. to discuss possible approaches. If you've had unpleasant encounters with these folks downtown or have a suggestion on what the city could do, please attend and participate. Here's our suggestion: O'Meara is right when he says much of the nastiness encountered downtown does not rise to the level of criminal behavior. But that doesn't mean the police can't make their presence known. Do you think having a police officer standing nearby might have a calming effect on some of the more belligerent types? We suspect it would. Some might ask if that's that a good use of an officer's time. Protecting the good name and economy of the city seems like a good use of time to us. But is it fair to make these people feel unwelcome downtown? It seems fair to us — after all they've been doing a pretty good job of making the rest of us feel unwelcome there. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 10:46 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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