Letter to the Editor: Officers in the Library
Letters to the editor can be sent to scott.egelberg@patch.com, marciaw@patch.com or carolyn.maynardparisi@patch.com.
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Re: The Library
During a recent visit to the West Orange Public Library I was saddened to see a police officer stationed in the main reading room. Instead of investing in much needed infrastructure and capital improvements, including a resolution of the historic Edison site, it would appear that we need to deploy public safety officers in the reading room. I am not aware of the history or the safety needs for the deployment. What concerns and disappoints me is the obvious decline in the values and respect for each other which has apparently resulted in this utilization of our scarce human resources.
In light of the holiday season, I would suggest that we rethink how to respond to these issues considering even the use of auxiliary police and volunteer monitors so that public safety salaries are utilized for real public safety issues and perhaps we could consider the enhancement of our library in the near future.
Best holiday wishes to all!
Roger Jacobs, West Orange, NJ
Letters to the editor can be sent to scott.egelberg@patch.com, marciaw@patch.com or carolyn.maynardparisi@patch.com.
Adam Kraemer
7:15 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Unfortunately the township had a history of unruly and unlawful behavior in the library such that it became necessary to deploy the police at the library. The police presence enables the public to use the library in peace. Mr. Jacobs may have a point as to if a axillary police officer or a guard could be used as opposed to a line patrolman.
Mark Paulson
9:20 am on Sunday, November 25, 2012
This is a valid observation. I agree that an axillary officer or a security guard would be sufficient. Thanks for bringing this to the public's attention.
Alan Sanders
2:48 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
I remember the comment from an old thread related to the mid-2012 spike in crimes reported that getting volunteers for such duty is difficult ( and takes training). I wonder.