Jackson County judge wants more traffic enforcement

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (AP) – A Jackson County judge is asking county commissioners to appoint a new sheriff who takes traffic enforcement seriously after a spike in traffic fatalities.

The Mail Tribune reports Friday that (http://bit.ly/2il1bvs) Judge Joseph Charter counts more fatal wrecks through November — 33 — than any year since 2005.

Charter believes lax traffic enforcement may be part of the problem.

He says outgoing Sheriff Corey Falls eased up on traffic tickets after adopting some law enforcement reforms following police protests elsewhere in the country.

This year through November, the sheriff’s department has written 60 percent fewer tickets than in 2015.

Sheriff’s Capt. Nathan Sickler says Charter is oversimplifying the problem.

He says the traffic team was hit by staffing shortages after a wave of retirements.