(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In an infuriating new development stemming from the pro-crime policies in Democrat-run communities, a public library in California has seen itself forced to shut down due to skyrocketing crime threatening the safety of its staff and visitors.
Leftist “soft on crime” and anti-police policies have been causing crime waves in Democrat jurisdictions nationwide, especially visible in the progressivist-oriented West Coast states.
The local library has temporarily shut its doors in Antioch, California, a city of over one hundred thousand inhabitants in the San Francisco Bay Area, National Review and Fox News report.
The library says it is launching efforts to bolster its security protocols following a spike in criminal activities that have jeopardized the well-being of both its employees and patrons.
The Contra Costa County Library articulated the necessity of this regrettable decision on its website.
“The Contra Costa County Library has made this difficult decision after repeated dangerous incidents in the last few months that have threatened the safety and security of patrons and staff,” it said.
The library aims to expedite the implementation of enhanced security measures to facilitate a swift reopening.
However, it has acknowledged that these initiatives will require time to execute fully.
“During the closure, the Library will be working to implement further security measures so we can reopen as soon as possible. These will take some time to complete, and we do not have an estimated date for reopening. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress,” it said.
In the meantime, the institution has assured visitors that it will automatically prolong the return deadlines for borrowed items, given that its book return facilities will remain inaccessible.
This closure has elicited responses from community leaders, including Ron Bernal, a candidate for mayor, who lamented the impact of this development on the city.
Bernal described the situation as a “sad day for Antioch and especially the underserved residents in this neighborhood.”
He criticized the inadequate provision of library services in a city of 115,000 people, which currently relies on a single auxiliary library within a community center.
“One satellite library at the Community Center for a city of 115,000 residents is unacceptable. Antioch deserves better.”
The report notes his comments focused on a broader concern about equitable access to essential public services.
