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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 Jail-bomb suspect arrested in Klamath Falls ... After 10-hour wait for wind, Dustin Johnson leads British ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Jail-bomb suspect arrested in Klamath Falls ... After 10-hour wait for wind, Dustin Johnson leads British ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... OUR VIEW Our View: One more try for Josephine safety levy Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News It appears Josephine County voters may have one final chance to take responsibility for their crumbling public safety system before the county plunges over a fiscal cliff next June. Residents on this side of the county line should hope their neighbors make the right choice. It is encouraging that backers of the latest attempt at a tax measure are listening to what voters actually want and might support. Previous attempts at a public safety levy have gone down to defeat for the past three years in a row. The most recent attempt failed 52 to 48 percent. That measure, which would have increased property taxes $1.19 per $1,000 of assessed value, still would have left Josephine County's property tax below the state average of more than $2. The county's current rate is 58 cents. Last year's proposal would have restored the 262-bed jail to full capacity and reopened the closed juvenile detention center. Last year's proposal did not include any promise of increased patrols — a factor supporters say led to its defeat. Organizers of the new campaign say polling indicates 51 percent of respondents would definitely vote for a levy of $1.40 per thousand, and 12 percent "probably" would, but only if additional patrols are part of the deal. There is no question that patrols are important — and the lack of adequate coverage affects Jackson County, too. Oregon State Police troopers who could be patrolling here frequently are diverted to emergency calls in Josephine County. But detention space, whether for adults or juveniles, also is vital. Defendants arrested and released because there is no place to house them are unlikely to suddenly behave themselves, and they may bring their criminal proclivities to our neck of the woods. It's possible Congress may come through with some last-minute extension of timber subsidy payments, but there is no guarantee. Levy supporters kicked off their signature-gathering campaign last week. They need 2,150 valid signatures by Feb. 18 to place the measure on the May 19 ballot. We — and other Jackson County residents, too — wish them luck.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 23, 2014 at 12:01 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