Librarian Attacked by Homeless Asks for Extra Security

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

May 25 -- 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. (see story)

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.

"The number of dangerous and unstable individuals on our streets has increased to the point where we must seriously address the security needs for our branch libraries," said Carroll, a slight, soft-spoken woman who has worked in Santa Monica's library system for 30 years.

"It is time to respond to the situation at Ocean Park Branch, which, until my injury in March, had no security staff," she told the council. "Today, a library inspector make a brief daily visit, usually under an hour's duration. A budget increase is needed to provide more staff."

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.

"We feel on our own," said Carroll, who was transferred to the new Main Library in Downtown Santa Monica. "The (police) are often too busy."

The police department responds "as quickly as possible" depending on "the nature of the emergency," but must prioritize the many calls it receives, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the department spokesman.

"Police are going to respond to emergency-type calls first, traffic accidents with injuries and crimes in progress," Fabrega said after the meeting. "Traffic accidents have a priority to a non-report type call. We have to use reasonableness."

The attack on Carroll in March spurred City Manager Lamont Ewell to issue guidelines City staff should follow when dealing with the homeless. (see story)

But Santa Monica's libraries, Carroll said, have become hangouts for the homeless, and the librarians need extra help.

"The public library is one of the few places where homeless and mentally-challenged people have the right to access comfortable indoor seating, computers, restrooms and reading materials," Carroll told the council.

"More than ever, I hear residents express concern for their safety and comfort when they visit the library," said Carroll, who had another brush recently with an aggressive street person.

Council member Bobby Shriver said he understood Carroll's concerns.

"A single women at 9 o'clock should not be negotiating with (an unstable) person," Shriver said. "This is a really bad idea.

"We should really think about moving it up in the queue," he said referring to the list of budget priorities.