06.02.06
extra security needed, says librarian attacked by homeless man
Librarian Attacked by Homeless Asks for Extra Security
– reported by the Santa Monica News
It is not unusual for staff members at the Ocean Park Library branch to do more than return books to the shelves after the library closes.
On many nights, ten minutes before 9 p.m. closing time, the handful of bookish City employees bands together to usher out the homeless and mentally unstable who often refuse to leave.
On Tuesday night, Celia Carroll, the long-time librarian of the neighborhood branch, who was attacked earlier this year by a homeless man, asked the City Council for help.
Carroll wants money in the proposed 2006-07 fiscal year budget set aside to post a security guard at the branch library just a few blocks from the beach on Main Street, from half an hour before it opens to half an hour after it closes. That would be 28.5 more hours per week than the 20 currently budgeted.
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During their evening duels with the homeless, library staff members employ several tactics, often calling the police for help.
But while the police have come quickly in cases where there is a “true emergency” — in less than four minutes after she was attacked — there are times when it takes them as long as 40 minutes to respond, Carroll said.
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The attack on Carroll in March spurred City Manager Lamont Ewell to issue guidelines City staff should follow when dealing with the homeless.
But Santa Monica’s libraries, Carroll said, have become hangouts for the homeless, and the librarians need extra help.
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