Are Libraries Becoming More Dangerous?

Libraries are supposed to be a quiet place for learning. However, across the U.S., many libraries have found themselves under siege by crime. Calls coming from libraries are inundating many police departments. According to police records, more than 500 calls were made to police from the San Diego Central Library in the past year. To see for ourselves, Inside Edition spent the day at the library. It was not long before we witnessed cops rushing to the scene of a suspected overdose.

[@daxm8747]

To me its starting to feel like any public place in the USA is beginning to look like a war zone.

[@andyd3447]

Yes because of all the guns.

[@ezekielgates1558]

Correct, Canada while frozen cold six months of the year is at least a lot safer.

[@RealSheepYT]

thank the Js!

[@bloodlove93]

doesn't look like Israel or Ukraine to me

[@Iwipemyasswithpalestianflag]

Social media has made people crazy

[@Ishl]

It’s a shame. I’ve always believed that a city’s most prized possession is always its library

[@terranceaddison4599]

It still is. In my cousin's home town in Florence, SC, the library is one of the largest buildings in town (following the courthouse and the medical center)

[@jglg7238]

🤣

[@skycloud4802]

A cities most prizes possession is the train journey out of it.

[@CRanunculus]

It's prized by the homeless because your gov hates fixing the homelessness. They make too much money as non-profits. As someone who used to be homeless due to domestic violence, I would bet money I don't have that just building a day shelter for the winter months would solve the library crisis overnight.

[@davidbenning10]

⁠@@skycloud4802Lol. This might be the only valuable thing.

[@cerebralsamurai8382]

You know we're in bad times if libraries aren't even safe to go to anymore

[@MrColdwilliam]

Libraries, Schools, places of worship -- but point out that this is a uniquely American thing and everyone freaks out. Name a single state or city and everyone applauds. Weird times.

[@bradentheman1373]

we’ve always been in bad times dawg

[@geoh7777]

@cerebralsamurai8382 What do you think would be the result if every individual who entered a library to misuse it in the ways shown in this video disappeared into the prison system and if not executed, weren't released until they were so old they couldn't harm anyone anymore?

[@janetmiller2980]

They've been that way for years. Some parents have used libraries for babysitters for their kids. Some of those kids aren't so little and have harmed other kids. It is sad these institutions require police officers on library patrol, though.

[@kidgoku23]

The End Times

[@thomasplouffe1363]

" a safe quiet place for learning" every school ever

[@slushylemming1321]

American schools

[@georgelayton6641]

But they have BOOKS!

[@alvindevasconcelos8555]

@@slushylemming1321That sounds like jealousy

[@ThomasSawyers]

​@@alvindevasconcelos8555that sounds like insecurity

[@carnage0685]

schools were never safe

[@pedrotinaco1]

I remember going to the library in the 80s. I felt so safe and comfortable while reading magazines about the world. The libraries in the 90s had video cassettes to rent. I could learn computer skills in the 2000s. Save the libraries.

[@user-rl7mt4gh3o]

i havent been to libraries in a while

[@UNscenefuture]

I use to be able to walk around the mall at 8 years old with no sense of danger in the early 90s. The US has for sure taken a turn for the worst.

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

​@@UNscenefutureI blame drugs and horror movies and books about horror

[@UNscenefuture]

@@kaylagomez-ne2xt That and the break down of the American family.

[@stacyscooby8488]

this is sad . this place is supposed to be a sanctuary.

[@okamijubei]

Those and churches and yet violence and rapes happens over there.

[@AdamThygerson-lm1gt]

no sanctuary in san diego, maybe the temple

[@UTTPOfficer2024]

not anymore I suppose

[@MargaritaMagdalena]

The library was my only place to flee to when I was a child, living with an untreated schizophrenic.

[@bfrancis9898]

There is no sanctuary from the violence of poverty. If they can jail you they can house you. It is a policy choice. Everyone deserves the dignity of a place to call home. Zero empathy in this terrible excuse for journalism. 👍🏻

[@TheModelOmega]

Years of pharmaceutical companies and doctors prescribing opioid pills like candy led to widespread addiction. Then, when the government cracked down, people turned to substances like crack for their addictive fix. Naturally, crime, homelessness, and drug use skyrocketed. The government ended a problem they had allowed to develop without implementing any safeguards. Now, we're all bearing the consequences, some more than others.

[@squirrel9760]

🙏🙏🙏🙌🏾

[@kaliwebb6383]

Not to mention the govt. shutting down a lot of mental institutions back in the 80s/90s and just letting mentally ill people out on the streets to fend for themselves.

[@sevensages5279]

Check out what happened in Austin a few days ago where over 50 drug addicts overdosed and four died!! 😮

[@1JamesMayToGoPlease]

@TheModelOmega Crack will *not* satiate an opioid addiction.

[@janeelove3209]

Unfortunately true

[@HeatherJSN]

I took my nephews to a "Story Time" at our local library. And guess who was there watching children? Someone on the SO registry. You bet I called the cops.

[@PeachWookiee]

That’s not a new thing.

[@marquistf1996]

So grateful for your vigilance and proactivity.

[@scratchbuiltreplicas824]

Sadly they probably did nothing.

[@HeatherJSN]

@@scratchbuiltreplicas824 They arrested him and he was sentenced to jail for violating his probation.

[@X0AleeX0]

How did you know he was on the registry?

[@RollerSCoaster17]

My local library is absolutely filled with homeless people sleeping in the bathrooms. Uncomfortable and extremely crazy!!

[@Alex1891]

Please do not disturb someone sleeping if they're not being disruptive. It's probably the only opportunity they have to sleep. Advocate for policies that reduce homelessness.

[@shizzLd352]

There is no policy that can reduce homelessness. They dont follow the laws or rules to begin with, so what policy would change things? California supposedly spends millions on the issue every year and its only gotten worse. Addiction is the major cause and drugs have been illegal for quite some time. ​@@Alex1891

[@Alex1891]

@@ee023 I believe the most recent statistic is that about half of all homeless people work. Logic should easily lead you to the conclusion that work does not (and should not) comprise all of one's time; therefore, you should currently expect to see at least some homeless people at the library. I'm not going to argue with you about the morality of harassing them. That's reprehensible.

[@__________o____________]

@@Alex1891 If i gotta poo im throwing a trash can to wake em up go to work

[@FritzMonorail]

@@ee023 I'm not going to get on my high horse about homeless people sleeping when they can, especially since I as a disabled person would probably be homeless if not for my family.

[@terifinnegan6649]

God bless that young man that perished while defending his friend.

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

God bless everyone of us

[@Shastasnow]

And the lady. She was just doing her job

[@andrewiglinski148]

*_YES_* I work at the library almost every day, and it's insane. It's completely overrun by homeless people, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but more than half of them have absolutely zero respect for anyone else. They take up far more space than they need, and if they're not sleeping they're talking loudly and occupying an 8 person table by themselves so nobody else can use it. I understand why the librarians don't confront grown men that could hurt them, but they don't do anything to address the issue with teens running around either. There's two sides to the issue: On one hand, society needs to do something about these people outside of the library, and on the other... the librarians let it get this bad, and now they have to deal with the consequences.

[@user-zf3xb3qx8w]

legally, they have to be very careful what they initiate, even in Canada. Calgary library downtown simply closed their second floor computer access as derelicts were taking it over and simply staying. Then they added a booking time out, that helped. But the bathrooms were never designed for street people traffic.

[@HerLimted]

They’re also smelly

[@OphanielH]

In fact, I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well. A year ago they had evicted me, as well. Yet I did not end up miserable on the street fighting over public areas and harassing regular people. So yeah, no sympathy especially for GROWN AS men who can easily find ANY labor job.

[@andrewiglinski148]

@@HerLimted They don’t have showers. What does that have to do with traits that they can change?

[@enjoystraveling]

@@andrewiglinski148 they can find showers at the shelters if they want

[@armandocardona6975]

I called the police on a homeless man who was getting touchy with my fiance who looks underage and was sitting by herself. The library did not want to trespass him or call the police. They only stepped in keep me from harming him.

[@professoremil]

That’s insane. They won’t stop a literal molestation from happening, but can stop the guy trying to prevent it. Deplorable staff.

[@armandocardona6975]

@@professoremil he was a regular homeless guy who the staff were familiar with so they didn’t want to get him in legal trouble

[@professoremil]

@@armandocardona6975 Goodness, that’s even worse! I’m glad you contacted authorities, enabling something THAT extreme is what causes women and children to be victimized in the first place.

[@zalmute423]

The library is one of the few remaining places one can go and not be expected to spend money. We lost most or third places (places not home or work/school) and we should not let fear take it away from us.

[@DorkyGirl]

Homeless people hang out at our library during day time hours in winter. As far as I know they have never been an issue.

[@adidasfan360]

If you were a book at a library then I would pick you.

[@arvurebantra7639]

This! I was one of those homeless people once. It is not a new problem either. This has been going on for decades. Nothing has changed, just people being more aware.

[@cormacthem8406]

Nothing ever happens, until it does…

[@Ye-tf9im]

lol yall the reason the big cities turning to garbagd

[@halo-cn3ku]

I used to see plenty during the winter when I would to go the library to get school work done. All they ever did was read books and on occasion help the staff clean up the library. None were ever a problem. If they’re were druggies they were “politely” asked to leave.

[@up-uw4op]

I was sexually harassed at the library in 2007 in a small town. This is nothing new. Lots of sketchy people hang out there.

[@JOEL00111]

Keep being a liberal, it's what u get.

[@arvurebantra7639]

I was homeless and used the library to keep warm in the early 2000's. Saw a lot of messed up stuff and a few overdoses back then. It's NOT NEW. It's been happening for decades.

[@up-uw4op]

@@JOEL00111 so non liberals have nothing bad happen to them?

[@Milk-rn5uq]

@@JOEL00111boomer

[@samuelstevens1129]

​​​@@JOEL00111you made this political for no reason. You most likely wear a helmet indoors too

[@Crazy-Clown-In-Town]

I used to hang out in the library with friends when I was a kid. I loved reading National Geographic magazines and Popular Science. My neighborhood library was the only place my mom would let me go alone and not worry about a thing.

[@PHlophe]

i love me National G. my grand father has issues dating back to1o 1951 . i have since added american and australian scientist to my collectibles.

[@Codacoli]

Those were my favorites growing up and the Library would be where my parents would pick me up. There was 1 homeless person, but never more than that. Kind of crazy how it’s a bigger problem now.

[@homerodaniel_007]

I lived for more than a decade in a third world country and these kind of things never happen. It was super unsafe but people still had respect for Churches, hospitals and libraries.

[@Vs-hl7zq]

Library, church, school and mall aren’t safe. I think there is just too many miserable broken people hurting people. Sad world we live in.

[@RanchoPistola]

Shoutout to the pandemic 💯

[@CoolTangerine93]

It definitely made things escalate.😢 ​@@RanchoPistola

[@ArtIsDrawing]

@@RanchoPistola Stop blaming other people than yourselves!!

[@ArtIsDrawing]

But we should be grateful for this right -?

[@RanchoPistola]

We all just need to smoke a joint. Specifically some indica

[@charlessutherland274]

I used to be a public librarian in a high-crime area of town. I remember I was calling the cops three times a week or more at one point, to the point where I knew the 911 operators on a first-name basis. And this was in the 2010's. Now I teach elementary school, which is not only less stressful but pays better.

[@user-hq6vt3ip2r]

Cant even go to the libraries anymore, such same!

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

Back in the 90s, homeless folks would sleep in the college library during the day. Security soon followed. I get it but , I paid to be there and having to listen to someone snore like a freight train and the personal hygiene was too much.

[@johntownPSN]

Require library cards for access and block computers from pornography. That will eliminate most issues.

[@LemmeHoldaDollarMan]

I was in Eugene, OR in 2012. While at the public library, there was a homeless man watching porn with the volume up. It was an enclosed "quiet" computer room. There were KIDS in there. I complained. The worker said he could not "censor" the weirdo. I swear to God.

[@MTREDHEADS]

nice idea and it would help but idk about eliminate, unless you have data proof of it

[@-xxMelissaxx-]

.... they already block that and there's obviously way to get around that. And a card is required to check out library material, not to access the premises which everyone should be welcome to.

[@terranceaddison4599]

​@@LemmeHoldaDollarMan where I live at (VA) they would've barred him from the computers. Because actually have the rules in place..Libraries here have low tolerance.... nowadays. They have a program to detect algorithms of inappropriate stuff.. automatically blocks it ...

[@taliafuller8427]

This happened when I worked for a law library, a little girl was watching it in curiosity next to a guy watching the hardcore porn. :/ I told my coworkers but it’s apparently invasion of the Guy’s first amendment.

[@Sai1523]

The Santa Ana public library has always been unsafe since I was a kid. Always a bunch of homeless by the only entrance and crime always happens in front of it. It’s a shame, because it’s a very nice library.

[@godsmacked1000]

OC?

[@user-zf3xb3qx8w]

@@godsmacked1000 probably. lived in the City of Orange and it was really great. Sad.

[@Troller4739]

OC huh

[@user-uj5ly1eq5n]

@@Troller4739 yeah and wouldn’t be surprised as SA isn’t a safe city in OC

[@yourlordship1119]

We can't have nice things

[@PraveenSriram]

Very sad 😔

[@REALps2controller]

No no YOUR library is becoming a dangerous place. Stop making everyone feel like their library is dangerous.

[@juston5454]

Imagine the libraries in San Francisco? The homeless capital of the world.

[@fewkeyfewkey5414]

Nyc still takes the cake 😊

[@oinkytheink1228]

@@fewkeyfewkey5414especially the winters they just harm homeless people by preventing them from sleeping on benches and heaters

[@MrJuvefrank]

San Francisco has gone to the doggies.

[@okamijubei]

What about new York City or Fresno or Los Angeles or Austin or Phoenix or Miami or Orlando and such?

[@MrJuvefrank]

@@okamijubei All major cities in the U.S. have gone to the doggies, too.

[@youngblood71]

Transients should not be allowed in public libraries period. It is not a shelter or drug den.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

How do they weed them out? How do they know who is who?

[@Frugal_fitchic]

@@OttoByOgraffey I would have them check library cards at the entrance. Also, remove them and ban them for sleeping in the library or causing a disturbance.

[@paulj6756]

​@@Frugal_fitchicAs someone who uses the library, I think this is a good idea.

[@jeremyjackson7429]

There's a reason why a record number of Americans say they want to leave the US

[@Ravenboppityzoppity]

It's likely a vast assortment of reasons that ultimately equate to a couple of core causes

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

The video said stabbings and countries around the world have stabbings

[@lanaofficiel4042]

You got that RIGHT!!!! I'm ready to split from the United States ASAP.

[@curiouspenguin6887]

There is absolutely no crime in other countries. 😂

[@TheLogicalAnswer]

since when did the library become a shooting range?

[@AFloridaSon]

Criminals with guns love gun free zones.

[@ricosuave384]

Since the 1999 columbine massacre, no place is safe anymore

[@vegangainsfather2877]

@@ricosuave384 Yes, murders only started happening after 1999

[@T-swizzle08]

Don’t forget “scratch and sniff” 😐☠️

[@halfadecade4770]

​@@vegangainsfather2877 no they didn't

[@greggreg2263]

In Calgary we have a brand new hundred40 million $ library that is full of homeless people so nobody can go there. We went once and never been back.😢

[@mstt3530]

It’s so sad because the library is beautiful. I was there recently and there were so many homeless people shooting up in the washroom. The same thing is happening in Libraries across Montreal too!

[@anajc9130]

The world is changing. It is no longer the safe and loving place I used to know. It is sad.

[@tomboyjessie1352]

The world has always been this way, you're just more aware of it now because of TV and the internet.

[@theduckk]

Wasn't the 1970s-2000s filler with serial killers?

[@damian9303]

@@theduckkwhy, because of the zodiac killer and ted bundy? only proves the earlier reply’s point

[@theduckk]

@@damian9303 no there was statistically more serial killers back then due to the lack of technology and surveillance. That’s why so many serial killer horror movies that place in that era

[@gabrielaj2066]

You know I agree with Jessie, the world has always been like this but now you’re seeing it more because we have the tv news and the internet.

[@SanFernandoValleyRose]

And that is why I have not been to the public library in Los Angeles for 6 years.

[@bradentheman1373]

get out of los angeles bro

[@SanFernandoValleyRose]

@@bradentheman1373 I would Bro but I am 78 and am disabled.

[@silverflame8414]

boohoo

[@Ravenboppityzoppity]

You can still enjoy access to library resources without physically going to one, if you have an LA County library card the free app Libby has your local library's digital catalogue available! Ebooks, Graphic novels, audiobooks, even magazines! Pretty handy when I want a new book but don't want to leave the house, I highly recommend.

[@kaliwebb6383]

Pretty soon we will have to close all public spaces like this. Welcome to the USA 2024, where nobody cares about crime and the criminals have all the rights.

[@maximus180]

How did society get like this?

[@okamijubei]

Not until you have a civil war (or world war iii).

[@okamijubei]

​@@maximus180capitalizations, inequity of supply& demand, using disastrous events as an excuse to inflate prices, corporation cutting corners which includes laid off people just to maximize profits, real estate value inflate over demand, etc

[@terranceaddison4599]

​@@okamijubeiwell put..

[@LITTLE1994]

​@@maximus180Social media and bad parenting.

[@shadowt5542]

I used to be homeless myself, the library was a hotspot for us as it was open long hours and they didn't kick us out until closing time, good place to stay warm

[@Frugal_fitchic]

I wish homeless would never enter the library. You’re not there to use it for the right reasons. It’s not a shelter.

[@cristianasolonglondon]

i’m pretty sure that this is only in major cities.

[@PraveenSriram]

Agree

[@RanchoPistola]

Nope I'm at a library right now and some foo was on the phone and nobody said jack but if it were me mfs would have been on my ass.

[@paulajones4037]

Damn!!! Isn't there any place sacred anymore 😢 😡

[@prodigalpriest]

That has to be rhetorical.

[@user-im1ld9gw9o]

Alaska, because it's too cold for anyone to live there

[@PincheGuey-gc2or]

Yo momas not sacred anymore

[@SonicTheDarkHedgehog]

@@PincheGuey-gc2orLOL! Says the one who never had a mom😆

[@blazer9547]

Low trust society

[@garffeels]

the last time i went to the library there were a bunch of loud middle schoolers playing inappropriate hiphop in the teen section, it’s one of my favorite places to go and it makes me so sad :( we need a change!!

[@blotfd]

ive been consistently been hearing about these ambiguous teens in the news. i always picture archie jughead betty and veronica in my mind but when they're shown it's always coloureds....

[@violacadbury8343]

⁠@@blotfdDo you really need to add race to this? Coloureds? What is this the 1950s?

[@blotfd]

@@violacadbury8343 do you not realize that demographics matter?

[@violacadbury8343]

@@blotfd Do you not realize that stereotypes aren’t always true?

[@blotfd]

@@violacadbury8343 well, the reality is that stereotypes tend to hold up. there's something consistently antisocial with poc's no matter where you find them. regardless of geography. it's not every single one if that's what you need to hear.

[@dancytancy192]

A lot of homeless occupy the library.

[@ChrisF-fx5du]

Only homeless occupy the library

[@repentandfollowjesuschrist6170]

Yeah I use to get some homeless in the library I worked it

[@jeromebass7878]

I 😴 @ da library 📚

[@citrosoda5370]

I feel like there's not much utility to public libraries anymore except for the very poor.

[@viralbuthow000]

Lived in LA and NYC -- it can be a haven for homeless but the level of security is pretty good.

[@Serpenttine]

When you got a city that doesnt do anything to solve homelessness, mental health problems, this is what you get

[@seeleausstahl3595]

Exactly! We need to get to the root of such problems.

[@ColonizersBlow]

Which often happens when cities cater too much to the fat cat elites & corporations who benefit most from capitalism.

[@RanchoPistola]

@Santa Maria

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

​@@seeleausstahl3595it happens when people don't feel smart then they take drugs

[@barrieracc7634]

@@seeleausstahl3595 It's drugs. That's the root.

[@RoseNZieg]

i never thought a library as a scary place. that's sad.

[@spidercherry108]

Only when they have stupid policies and/or don't enforce normal policies. Don't let the creepiest people ruin everything. It's not that hard.

[@spaghettikennedy896]

I scoffed at this headline, then went to the library and some guy was being chased out by security 😂 made me laugh

[@phoenixdavida8987]

Ha

[@blackosprey2219]

It's no joke. My town's public library is gone now because of stuff like this.

[@popenieafantome9527]

Haven’t gone to the library much in recent years with the rise of the digital age, but when i was younger, i did go often. Never saw any problems like these before. Just people quietly reading or using the computers for gaming or research. Only issue i saw was one of the more recent times i went to the library. There was an angry man yelling in the bathroom loud enough to heard across a very large room. Someone did eventually call security and kicked him out because he truly was being very disruptive in the library. Despite having 4 male security, they did manage to talk down the guy, so he left mostly peacefully rather than needing to be dragged out. Just some grumbling and curses as he walked out the library.

[@dollyperry3020]

This makes me so sad.

[@moheezy6869]

This world is becoming more lawless

[@RanchoPistola]

The purge has become a reality but only for certain people. Ahem

[@evandoesgaming159]

I was at my local library a few months ago and some guy was rolling joints in the middle of the library. When the security guard came to kick him out, he was apparently surprised that he couldn't be rolling joints in a public library and was resistant to leave💀💀💀I guess people acting like idiots in libraries isn't just a thing where I live

[@sarahduke2839]

Yes because i was almost attacked by a homeless woman who tried to take my shoes. I stop going to library 4 years ago

[@PHlophe]

Sarah i would have given him the shoes and would have went to the next supermarket to buy flip flps. it is not worth fighting for.

[@sarahduke2839]

It was a woman homeless I didn't havr much money at the time ok

[@SierraP]

Wow that’s absolutely crazy.

[@michaelsonsarmiento5943]

It’s a shame. Throughout history, a city’s most prized possession is always its library

[@snowflakehunter]

Everyplace is getting more dangerous.

[@cindynimeskern7994]

2 Timothy 3:1-9

[@Hungabrigoo]

This is your reward for all the tolerance.

[@Wildman-zh8lg]

Everyone voted for it

[@cobracommander9138]

But not as dangerous as it was before. These kids don't know how good they have it!

[@snowflakehunter]

@@Wildman-zh8lg I didn't.

[@whendaork9269]

Goddam even the library is now a Warzone. What’s next?

[@scarter2035]

This is part of the reason why many libraries have closed 🥺😩

[@AuthorJanaeMarie]

I work for a library as a Library Assistant and the amount of drama that happens at the library is crazy. One would think that the library would be a quiet place. Usually 85% off the time it is. But there’s that small amount that can be a bit of a problem. I know the library showed in the video.

[@GeneralKenobiYouAreABold1]

This stuff has been happening for decades.

[@KatTheLavaGirl]

It’s such a shame. I grew up always going to the library and I have so many fond memories there :(

[@foodmr2022]

IT's shocking that the place where people want to read peacefully have to see something like this.

[@Jollister]

this is insane

[@honestcomments8053]

And our politicians tells us everything is great....economy is great...crime is great...nothing to worry about.

[@kdawg7736]

They will find out come November when they get voted out reality will hit them.

[@jeremyhall2727]

Yeah it's great for them 😂 they're behind a bloody gated community with armed guards

[@skingerskanger]

Where's the TRUTH, though...hmmmmm?

[@Hungabrigoo]

Your politicans actually find this to be a good thing because humiliation makes you more obedient.

[@Badpoison1]

Yes more fear stoking. I've worked at a library, and calling the cops for a number of things is fairly common. I would like to know just how many of those 500 calls were for a violent incident or safety concern or were for something far more mundane.

[@InfiniteTony]

No freaking way, Inside Edition actually went to Middletown, NY to visit our library. I wish I was there at the time 😅

[@arielamaya4177]

What happens when you go soft on crime and let repeat ofender out.

[@robertgrays8790]

The San Diego library has homeless encampments right outside the front door, and is less than 5 blocks from a street-side tent city.

[@ms.krueger2660]

I live in Alabama and a homeless woman sleeps in the bathroom in one of the libraries. I have seen her in a Walmart before on a bench and going through the trash. It’s so sad.😢 I told the library staff and they said she is harmless. Apparently they can’t keep her out.

[@bradentheman1373]

they’ve gotta live somewhere, their human too man

[@gregorycyr9272]

Why don't you mine your own business?

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

All the homeless causing problems in there, they infest Las Vegas Libraries here.

[@JRAnimationStudios]

This is really sad… I remember when libraries were a safe place to come to and enjoy media of all kinds

[@hidinginsight1879]

Was waiting at a public library for my daughter. She and her friends would walk there after school, which was just two buildings away. The security guard and I started chatting and she showed me a HUGE binder filled with photos of known pedophiles who lived in the area. She said every day she has to call police on at least five pedos trying to get close to kids there. She said of course they all know when school gets out. This is a small city, less than 100,000 people on an island most consider a tropical paradise with old-fashioned values. If that's happening here, it must be horrors on the Mainland.

[@tdog385]

I havet been to my donetowen library in 9 years it's next to a homeless shelter and someone in the parking lot got killed.

[@ScreamTatumRiley]

Never confront someone over a materialistic item wtf especially in dangerous places like CA

[@KimsLantern]

I went to that exact library in SD a few years ago and was surprised at how many homeless people were inside. A dude was literally asleep right outside the bathroom on the floor.

[@isabellelabbe6476]

I got attacked by someone in a Library while studying while in university a few years ago. On top of that there was a LOT of crime, drugs. Never went back and started studying at home only.

[@Hoovie9596]

If you want to learn about drugs, visit your local library. There’s probably a guy behind the library who sells drugs.

[@SweetTea2]

From South carolina here.. I go to the library just about every week to work and just to have a quiet place to study and yes it is full of crackheads Ann Street walkers the sheriff's department has somebody stay there all the time because of it

[@HollyDutton-wz8fe]

The same thing has been going on in the downtown Dallas library for years.

[@sherice1730]

How did I know it would be downtown San Diego. The whole city has growing pockets of shantytowns and downtown has been hit the worse.

[@imdownonmyluck]

Used to work at the RVA main library and someone overdosed in one of the single stall bathrooms. It’s a hub for the homeless and drug addicts people used to try and hide or sleep there for the night. Most of the time if you’re nice to them they’re nice to you worse thing is the smell and bedbugs

[@gregorycyr9272]

I lived in Richmond back in the 80s.I used to go to that library on Franklin Street.I moved to Raleigh NC in 1990.

[@pipasmr2011]

When she said a California city, it all made sense.

[@SL-lz9jr]

Next thing you know we're going to need security guards and TSA quality scanners to enter the library

[@X0AleeX0]

I used to love going to the library as a kid. Sad this is happening, and kids today don’t get to enjoy it the same way in big cities.

[@aidenquinn19975]

Pretty happy our library is close to a police station

[@SailorsGirl1957]

WTAF? Aw, that poor cute kid 😥

[@tessa7778]

Ikr! He was beautiful! Those dimples! And he was just sticking up for his friend trying to get the belongings back. I feel so bad for his parents

[@rezlogan4787]

Even 20 years ago my mom wouldn’t let me visit the county library unattended since it had become an encampment for homeless and drug users.

[@Stories_I_Tell_Ya]

What a damn shame. This library is absolutely stunning

[@Scoobis925]

What happened to the times when we locked up criminals. These days they’re put in a jail for a day or two and they walk free

[@_nimrod92]

The Long Beach, CA downtown public library has open drug markets inside of it. I know this because when I was trying to finish my midterm exam for school at the time I went and you had swathes of homeless openly buying drugs in front of me to the point where the fire department had to kick everyone out of the library. Hence one of the reasons I never have come back to it, its a shame.

[@odalisgonzalez6875]

I never wouldn't thought libraries would be this way..unreal

[@ILoveMaths07]

Give the homeless homes! 😡😡😡 It's a basic human necessity.

[@jesswhycamarz]

Exactly

[@mastert5618]

It's not the library. It's the neighborhood- fact.

[@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459]

Yeah, my library is safe and quiet

[@caitlinweiss8801]

My mom was a librarian and she's had some crazy stories to share. Only from recent years

[@MrMartellSincere]

That's very tragic to see even libraries aren't safe anymore 😢

[@anonymousfan1008]

When a state is soft on crime this happens.

[@moonshoes11]

When people don’t read enough books, this happens.

[@amauro1385]

@@moonshoes11Makes no sense.

[@e-4051]

Every state is soft on crime, especially if you have money.

[@moonshoes11]

@@amauro1385 That is my point. The uneducated struggle.

[@kryptism]

The library in Downtown Orlando has been crime infested with homeless people since the mid 90s! Got worse in the 2010s and 2020s!😮

[@WendySchroederDenverCo]

I'm 67 and I live in Denver. I decided to use the "bookmobile" that comes to our large apartment complex. So far, I haven't had problems but it's a place where the mentally ill and/or homeless hang out. I have C-PTSD and I don't want to deal with these unfortunate people. I wish the government would do more to help them. Everybody would gain from it.

[@aubreypassey6086]

I’m glad my library doesn’t have any of this and I feel bad for the ones that do. I’m also American and live in Utah

[@daisybradley1392]

Probably depends on what city you live in.

[@garffeels]

i’m scared that soon in america, there’ll be no places to go for fun anymore and it’ll all be online

[@uranne]

When I was young, many people in my country wanted to immigrate to the United States. Now, it just seems so chaotic and unsafe.

[@househannah333]

I took my kids to the library in my town shortly after moving there. There was literal poop smeared on the walls in the kids section so I went to the librarian and told her, her response was "yeah, we know"... we promptly left and never went back. Occasionally we see petitions for increasing the funding for the library, I just want to know how much tax money you need to get the poop off the walls and I'll gladly oblige.

[@brittenyevans1101]

It depends on the city and the neighborhood. But, it's always been a place sketchy people hang out at. Nothing new here 😒

[@liamwatson5125]

I love librarians because they’re safe people.

[@user-xm3ei3jo9x]

Wow this is nuts. Gives a whole new meaning to checking out

[@Ravenboppityzoppity]

We could also build more shelters with more beds and showers that dont kick ppl out the next morning every single day. That way shelter overflow of ppl doesnt become a librarian issue

[@cindyllax]

I have worked for a library for over 10 years, this is nothing new...

[@drquinnmedicinewoman7786]

so you got paid a good salary for doing nothing?

[@terranceaddison4599]

​@@drquinnmedicinewoman7786 come on.. seriously?