CUPE leader calls for metal detectors to remain in downtown library – Winnipeg Free Press

When the city reopened Millennium on January 23, 2023, a metal detector gate was installed. The branch had been closed since a fatal stabbing on the ground floor on December 11, 2022.

CUPE filed its safety complaint in the wake of the tragedy, claiming that the library staff it represented were afraid to go to work in the face of increasing violence.

Since then, the detectors have become a controversial part of the facility, with some advocates saying they are a hindrance that keeps some people from using the library.

Delbridge insists the devices are necessary for staff safety.

“I find it really unfortunate that we live in a society where metal detectors have become a necessity,” he said.

He made the comments in the context of a city report that there continue to be ongoing safety concerns at Winnipeg's public libraries, particularly the Millennium branch at 251 Donald Street.

The number of security incidents in libraries increased by 13 percent for all libraries and by 10 percent for the Millennium Library between the periods October 2022 to June 2023 and October 2023 to June 2024.

However, the percentage of incidents per library visit actually decreased over the same period. Across all libraries, incidents occurred at approximately 0.0785 percent of visits during the first nine months. This percentage then dropped to 0.0778 percent.

According to the chair of the Council for Municipal Services, the safety risks are clearly linked to the social problems plaguing the city centre and beyond.

“Poverty, homelessness and crime continue to plague our city. We've seen that in recent months, not only in our libraries, but also in our (other) public spaces,” said City Councilor Vivian Santos.

The Point Douglas councillor said she expects improvements as council and the provincial government invest in housing and social supports.

There are now signs that security measures in libraries are helpful, she said.

“We're seeing a slight decrease in the number of incidents per visit, so it makes a small difference,” she said.

In July 2023, the City Council approved several library safety improvements that funded five more security guards (in addition to the five already in place) at Millennium. The changes also created nine Community Safety Hosts for all libraries (in addition to one existing one), as well as two additional Community Safety Hosts and 4.2 full-time staff members for the Community Connections Space. Community Safety Hosts are trained in trauma-informed crisis work and can help connect at-risk people with resources.

The report credits Community Safety Hosts for consistently reducing the severity of library incidents.

Borland said the security problems at local libraries are directly linked to social issues affecting many public spaces that, while security measures cannot solve, can be addressed.

“Problems like chronic poverty, homelessness, untreated addiction, we cannot solve all of those through these specific investments in our security measures. What the investments enable us to do is respond better when incidents occur,” she said.

The number of visitors to the public libraries increased by 16 percent during the study period, which also had an impact on the number of incidents, said Borland.

Meanwhile, the report noted that Millennium's Community Connections space had its hours reduced from about June to August due to two vacancies. New staffing has allowed the space to reopen during library hours this week, Borland said.

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Joyanne Pursaga
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Joyanne is a city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. She has been a reporter since 2004 and has covered politics exclusively since 2012. She writes about city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press Early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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