Security incidents up at city libraries; de-escalation measures credited with reducing threat levels

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This article was published 03/05/2024 (535 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Attendance and security incidents at Winnipeg Public Library branches increased over a six-month period in 2023-24, a new staff report suggests.

Inappropriate behaviour, intoxication, threats and assaults were among the most common security incidents defined in the report, which covered the period from October to March.

A significant portion of incidents is lumped under “other” — a category that includes banned customers arriving and leaving without issue, de-escalations and false fire alarms.

“This increase in incidents may correlate with the increase in attendance,” Irmy Nikkel, the department’s administrative co-ordinator of support services, wrote in her report.

Additional security measures and community supports have helped to prevent or de-escalate incidents, the report showed.

Staff at the city’s 20 branches reported 966,254 visits, a spike of almost 134,000 compared with the same period in 2022-23.

“It shows that Winnipeggers are still very interested in using this public resource,” said community services chairman Coun. Evan Duncan.

Staff also reported 723 security incidents, an increase of 64.

Half of the incidents occurred at the downtown Millennium Library, which boosted security measures after Tyree Cayer, 28, was fatally stabbed at the branch Dec. 11, 2022.

The library, the city’s most-visited location, was closed for more than a month following the homicide.

Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said the rise in security incidents could be related to social issues, such as addictions, poverty or homelessness, which are ongoing concerns.

The city is budgeting nearly $6 million, with help from a provincial grant, to improve library services and security this year.

“Safety and security incidents continue to be concerning in library branches throughout the city,” Nikkel wrote. “The findings in this second quarterly report paint a picture of continuing incidents but also a significant number of de-escalations.

“The number of incidents is higher than the previous reporting period. However, when the increase in attendance is factored in, the percentage of incidents to library visits is similar to the previous quarter.”

“The number of incidents is higher than the previous reporting period. However, when the increase in attendance is factored in, the percentage of incidents to library visits is similar to the previous quarter.”–Irmy Nikkel

Between July and December in 2022, incidents at Millennium Library made up 66 per cent of all library incidents.

The decrease is related, at least partially, to the presence of community safety hosts, who are tasked with de-escalating situations, contracted security guards, and additional de-escalation efforts by library staff in the Community Connections space near the facility’s entrance, Nikkel wrote.

The library uses a walk-through metal detection gate to screen visitors for weapons.

For all branches, about 77 per cent of interactions involving community service hosts reduced the severity of incidents and the number of times emergency services were called, Nikkel wrote.

That includes de-escalating “emotionally elevated” people, linking those in need with community supports and life-saving measures, such as naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Joe Curnow, a member of the library advocacy group Millennium for All, said the community-led strategy is working and should be expanded.

“That’s a huge success,” she said of the 77 per cent figure.

Nikkel described the community safety hosts — who are overseen by the non-profit organization Fearless R2W — and Community Connections as valuable resources for public libraries.

The services spare staff from having to intervene, allowing them to concentrate on serving customers, according to the report.

The number of referrals by community crisis workers in libraries and the Community Connections hub is also increasing.

Community Connections alone reported 2,566 referrals between October and December, although it was closed for most of October and didn’t return to full operating hours until mid-November.

A total of 5,886 referrals occurred between January and March.

City funding for Community Connections will be depleted at the end of the calendar year.

The lobby space, located before the metal detection gate, is designed to offer library services and referrals for help with housing, employment or other social supports for visitors, including people who are vulnerable or newcomers to Canada.

“It’s extremely well-used, and the numbers show that,” said Curnow. “It makes no sense to close it.”

She said the hub creates a welcome space and low-barrier access for a cross-section of visitors, not just people in crisis.

Duncan doesn’t believe the space should be in the library. He said the province should take the lead because the hub deals with public health, housing and other social services.

“We can be a partner in this. We cannot take the lead,” he said.

Nikkel’s report is on the agenda for Wednesday’s community services committee meeting.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca