MYRTLE CREEK — People often complain that they don't see enough police patrolling their streets. But the people of Tri City believe they see too many men and women in blue.

And residents of Myrtle Creek also don't want to see their officers straying outside city limits.

That was a recurring theme at a public meeting that drew a standing-room only crowd of about 40 people to the City Council chambers Monday evening.

The Police Department hosted the meeting partly to provide information about new state laws that went into effect Jan. 1. But the majority of the meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was spent answering questions about police service in the city and the surrounding area.

A Tri City resident said other residents have told him they're upset with “the patrolling and the tickets being written ... it needs to stop.”

He was referring to the fact that police patrol along North Pacific Highway south from the city limits, which end about Plaza Drive, to Cherry Street.

That's because the city annexed that portion of North Pacific Highway years ago. The homes along the stretch, however, are still in Douglas County's jurisdiction.

The Tri City resident suggested police should only come to Tri City if they are responding to a call for service.

Myrtle Creek resident Roy Brogden said when police patrol outside the main part of the city “it appears they're not doing things in Myrtle Creek and that's what we're paying taxes for.”

Police Chief Don Brown responded that in 2009, police issued 95 percent of their citations north of Ray's Market at 909 S. Main St. Five percent were issued south of Ray's. Ray's is close to the city limit boundary.

Brown also said police sometimes go outside the city to investigate crimes that took place in the city or to help other law enforcement agencies. He gave the example of how police recently went to a Tri City home from which they believed the residents were selling methamphetamine all over the county.

“Taking meth out of a Tri City home or trailer, those drugs,” Brown said, “(they don't) stay in Tri City, they come to your kids too.”

Several audience members, however, said they understood the reasoning behind the patrols and are thankful police sometimes work outside the city.

“I'm in favor of you going where you want to go whenever you want to go and staying as long as you want,” one man said.

Earlier in the evening, Brown talked about new laws that took effect Jan. 1, such as a law that generally bans cell phone use by drivers younger than 18 and requires older drivers to use a hands-free accessory.

Because the law is vague, Brown said he's directed officers generally not to cite adults who violate the law for the first six months, unless cell phone use contributed to an accident.

Myrtle Creek officers, however, will be citing juveniles who break the law, Brown said.

Brown also noted the new “Move Over” law that requires drivers to move to the next lane or to slow down if they pass a police car, ambulance, tow truck or other emergency vehicle pulled over to the side of the road with its lights on.

Also during the public comment period, Ruthie Martin said she thinks the 45 mph speed limit on the residential part of North Myrtle Road is too high.

Brown explained the speed was determined by traffic counts that measured driver speed in that area. Since the traffic count found that 85 percent of the drivers drive 45 mph on that stretch, Douglas County Public Works Department determined that was a prudent speed.

He suggested people who feel the speed is too high speak to the county Public Works Department.

• You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 541-957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@nrtoday.com.