Quincy News: Boston libraries beset by violence and addicts

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Boston Public Library board members
A Nancy Lane/Boston Herald image
– News from elsewhere covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Boston libraries are beset by violence and addicts.

As should come as no great surprise to long suffering Quincy Crane Library main library patrons, library staff, library security personnel and Quincy police officers, Boston public libraries have also been hit with hypodermic needles on restroom floors and fights among homeless people.

Staying warm, getting a dime bag – whatever
A Quincy Quarry News file photo
Alarmed trustees and patrons say even the city’s ornate historic main branch in Copley Square is not off limits to these and various other unnerving hazards.

State Representative Byron Rushing, who is also a trustee, said at the most library trustee meeting that libraries need to treat everyone who comes in with respect while dealing with safety concerns.

“How we group people has to be as objective as possible, not out of any prejudices, conscious or unconscious.” said Rushing. “The problem for homeless people is that they don’t have a place to live, not that they are annoying.”

Needles and the damage done
A genius.com image
Added City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George, it is a “sad reality” that the Boston public libraries must confront the opioid crisis.

“Needles are a dangerous problem in our parks and libraries and are one of the worst symptoms of the opioid crisis,” said Essaibi George. “As I have been working on this issue, I’ve heard from librarians and friends groups about this problem; it’s a very scary reality for them.”