Corpus Christi library guards to be armed
Corpus Christi will soon be staffing its public libraries with armed security guards, a move the city said is necessary to protect the city’s employees, as well as those who visit the libraries.
Although the libraries currently have unarmed security personnel, it’s not enough, officials told the Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday. Presently, the downtown La Retama Central Library is the only location with armed security.
Prior to the vote on employing armed security guards, City Councilwoman Sylvia Campos expressed some reserva tions about the change while acknowledging the reported security concerns. “It’s a terrible thing now, ... you go to Walmart, you go to H-E-B, and you see armed guards,” she said. “And now it’s coming to the libraries. It’s just kind of frightening.”
Laura Garcia, the city’s libraries director, described incidents involving patrons making threats, throwing chairs at the circulation desk and spitting on people.
It’s a safety issue that has been facing all the library branches and isn’t specifically related to homeless individuals, she said.
There are also cases when as few as two library staffers are in the building, Garcia added.
City Councilman Gil Hernandez questioned whether the anecdotes of incidents would justify armed guards, and he suggested the request should have been accompanied by statistical data.
It’s risk mitigation and no different than the kind of security provided at City Hall, said City Manager Peter Zanoni.
It also plays a role in Mayor Paulette Guajardo said.
“This is an investment not only in protecting our residents but our children and families that go to the libraries," she said.
Updating the security services contract will cost about $332,000, bringing the total contract to about $1.8 million, according to city documents.
The council voted to support the amendment 7-2.
It’s anticipated that Garcia will return with a report later this year addressing whether the armed guards are better protecting employees, as well what Guajardo described as further discussion on the look and feel of the library environment.
“It’s a terrible thing now, ... you go to Walmart, you go to H-E-B, and you see armed guards. And now it’s coming to the libraries. It’s just kind of frightening.”
Sylvia Campos City councilwoman