Editorial - Time To Rethink Security Measures At The Public Library

A recent criminal court case saw Moose Jaw resident Braeden McKenzie pleading guilty to a number of criminal charges.

For his actions McKenzie received four months in jail.

A slap on the wrist in the minds of many considering at least one of the criminal convictions involves an attack on an innocent senior inside the Moose Jaw Public Library.

An attack on a senior citizen for the simple act of not vacating the washroom fast enough, when demanded by two local hoodlums. An attack which netted McKenzie a 30 day stint in jail.

According to a Moose Jaw Today story McKenzie and a friend were in the Moose Jaw Public Library and and none too happy the washroom was occupied by a senior.

“The man told police he was in a bathroom at the library when McKenzie and a friend began pounding on the door, telling him to hurry, but he told them that he had just entered the washroom. 

“Mr. McKenzie began yelling and became agitated. When (the victim) exited the bathroom, he was slapped on the side of the face by McKenzie,” said (Crown Prosecutor) Parker,” Moose Jaw Today/Moose Jaw Express reported.

As a result of Mr McKenzie’s and his friend’s impatience the senior - whose only transgression was not giving up the washroom to McKenzie and his pal to do God only knows what - was slapped,

As a result of the assault, the senior had his glasses knocked off and the nose pads drew blood.

For his part McKenzie received 30 days consecutive in jail.

The question needs to be asked given this unprovoked attack upon a senior citizen inside a City owned facility what will the Moose Jaw Public Library do to protect the public from people the likes of Mr McKenzie?

And unlike many in the community I realize people with mental health problems and addictions, have been using the Moose Jaw Public Library as a refuge and a safe place to hang out.

Medical facilities to assist people with mental health problems and additions are overwhelmed, and people need a place to go. The Moose Jaw Public Library has become their refuge.

The problem is with the good you are also getting the bad.

I realize the Moose Jaw public Library has also had security at one time or another inside the facility. Which in today’s world I’m sad to say is a good thing and sadly required.

There needs to be something out there in the way of treatment for mental illness and related addictions beyond hanging out at the library.

I suppose we could look at this from an economic standpoint.

And that is allowing those suffering from addictions access to warmth in the winter and cold places during summer heat waves in the end will save our publicly funded health care system a ton of money.

But at the same time those who are like Mr McKenzie deserve what they get and hopefully it’s more than 30 days of incarceration as in his case.

The Moose Jaw Public Library’s board needs to act immediately and decisively if they are going to build and maintain any type of public feeling the Library is safe.

People who become agitated and violent going on to attack senior citizen - strangers they do not know - over access to a washroom need to be permanently shown the library’s door.

Or at least told never to come back until we will say it smarten up.

Those who physically assault or harass others for no good reason have given up the privilege by their own actions.

We will go on the record and publicly state the majority of people, suffering from mental illness, and addictions can risk-wise be described by one word - harmless.

But sadly, in the case of Mr. McKenzie, there are those who are not harmless, and have shown themselves to be violent against total strangers.

Perhaps it is time for the Moose Jaw Public Library’s board to step and show publicly that people who behave and follow a certain set of rules are welcome no matter what their medical condition or social standing.

But those who do not follow the standards and rules need to be shown the door in a less than sympathetic mood.

Are security measures expensive? Yes they are. And sadly the Library - and by that we mean the taxpayer - have to foot the cost of security measures.

Other patrons deserve not just the right to safely use the Library and it’s facilities but also the same time they should not have to worry and constantly look over their shoulder worrying about being physically assaulted.

The Library’s board might well do the right thing in the wake of this unwarranted attack and take the time to re-examine policies and set some ground rules to use the library.

A good first step might be serving Mr McKenzie a trespass letter upon his release from jail and we’re sure return to the public library.

Just ban him outright in the name of public and staff safety. His criminal actions have given up his right to utilize the facility.

Such a move would send a strong message to those who might consider assaulting other innocent people inside the library.

Something needs to be done and it’s time for the Moose Jaw Public Library’s board to step up to protect their patrons, staff, as well as the community at large in and around their facilities.