Increased assaults at library spur armed police presence

The San Antonio Public Library is testing the use of police at Central Library after assaults there increased.

The pilot program was introduced at the October trustee meeting, during which Kathy Donellan, assistant director for support services, revealed that there were 18 cases of assault at Central Library during fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30.

Of the 18 assaults, all by visitors, nine were against security staff, four against other library staff and five against other visitors, Donellan said. Central Library reported 10 assaults in 2022 and only two in 2021, although the branch was largely closed for renovations.

The police presence comes in addition to existing security, which comprises a small detail of library-employed security and contract security that monitor the Central Library 24 hours a day.

With security guards unable to detain individuals in the event of an assault, the library believes that police are better equipped to respond.

“They have the ability to take immediate action in a heightened security situation,” said Haley Holmes, public services administrator for the library.

Donellan told the trustees that the program is expected to have an annual price tag of $70,000, but residents came out in droves to the December meeting to voice concerns about even bigger costs to communities that rely on the library system for resources.

“I’ve had family members who were traumatized and brutalized by the police,” said Jade Pacheco of Act 4 SA. “Time and again they do not deescalate when they should.”

Denise McVea, former City Council candidate, spoke in support of the program, citing the need for protection against mass shootings in public spaces.

Starting in mid-November, one to two police officers have been patrolling the library for six to nine hours a week, although the ultimate goal of the library is to have only one officer present, Holmes said.

The program could last up to six months, but the library is taking it day by day.

“We are taking every form of feedback into account as we evaluate the pilot,” Holmes said.

Staff file photo The Central Library was the site of 18 assaults in fiscal year 2023, up from 10 in 2022. Security guards at the library are unable to detain individuals.