California library shuts down over drug use and public sex between the bookshelves

This library has checked out.

A public library in California has shut its doors following months 
of rampant drug use, robberies and even public sex between the 
bookshelves as Golden State cities are held hostage by criminals.

The Contra Costa County Library’s Antioch Branch that it made the 
decision to close beginning on Saturday until further notice as the 
“repeated dangerous incidents” have threatened the safety of its 
patrons.

“During the closure, the Library will be working to implement 
further security measures so we can reopen as soon as possible,” the 
library service said in a statement.

A library spokesperson told KTVU that this dire situation goes 
beyond typical bad library behavior like talking too loud, failing 
to return books on time or even vandalism and theft.

“We’ve also had drug activity and drug use both inside the library 
and on library property,” Brooke Converse, a Contra Costa County 
Library System representative, said.

“People having sexual intercourse inside the library or on property 
in full view of patrons and staff. We found bullet casings on 
library property.”

The Mayor of Antioch, a city of about 115,000 located 45 miles 
northeast of Oakland, opposed the library’s closure and said 
citizens were blindsided by the decision.

“No one in the City of Antioch, including the police chief, was 
informed of safety concerns by Contra Costa County regarding the 
library,” Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said.

Library officials told the outlet that the branch is run by the 
county, who made the call.

Upgraded security measures planned to be installed include a second 
full-time security officer, repairing a vandalized fence, and 
upgrading security cameras.

“We apologize for the short notice and the inconvenience but the 
safety of our patrons and staff is a top priority,” the library 
branch said.

It’s not clear when it will reopen.

https://nypost.com/2024/02/18/us-news/california-library-shuts-
down-due-to-drug-use-public-sex-between-the-bookshelves/