Ensuring the safety and well-being of our campus is a top priority for the City of Medford. In collaboration with Risk Management, RVC ADHOC and the Medford Police Department, we have taken measures to address growing concerns along Bartlett Street between the HEC and SSC. Regrettably, due to a significant upswing in individuals using exterior benches for camping and drug-related activities, we made the difficult decision to remove all benches along this stretch. This decision was not made lightly, but the accumulation of trash and drug paraphernalia, including used needles and human waste, necessitated immediate action to maintain a safe and clean environment for all.
It’s important to note that these benches were located on city property, falling outside the jurisdiction of RCC Campus Security. This limited their ability to respond effectively to calls or concerns related to the area. The removal aims to curtail further incidents and better align with safety measures implemented by the City of Medford.
We understand that this removal impacts students, employees and visitors to the Riverside Campus. To provide alternative seating options, we encourage you to utilize the tables and benches in the plaza area directly in front of the library. We could potentially reinstall additional outdoor seating in the area in the future, with support from the City of Medford, the Downtown Medford Association and others.
Your safety and comfort are of the utmost importance to us. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to Director of Risk Management Sean Taggart at staggart@roguecc.edu.