County Librarian Made Decision to Close Antioch Library for Safety Concerns

On Saturday, the Contra Costa County Library shed more light as to why they abruptly shut down the Antioch Library in the City of Antioch.

According to Brooke Converse, Contra Costa County Library Public Information Officer, she said they did not reach out to the City of Antioch over safety concerns, but due to another serious incident earlier this week the County Librarian made the unilateral decision to close the library immediately so increased security services can be implemented.

“We have already been in touch with the city about the new security measures and will continue to be in contact with them about ways to keep the library safe,” said Converse.

On Friday, here is what was released by the County Library:

“Beginning Saturday, February 17, 2024, the Antioch Library will be closed until further notice. 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. 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.”

Converse said Saturday she could not provide the number of incidents or responses to the library, but did provide the types of incidents that had been occurring. Some of the types of incidents that led up to this decision include:

• Theft and damage to patron and staff property
• Repeated vandalism of library property including multiple incidents involving things being set on fire
• Threats to staff and security
• Drug activity and drug use in the library and on library property
• Sexual intercourse inside and outside the library in full view of patrons and staff
• Bullet casings on library property

According to sources, Antioch Police have been called more than a dozen times in the past two months–sometimes with the Antioch Police Department not even responding. (UPDATE – 15 calls confirmed from library staff to Antioch PD)

Converse also said the Antioch Library is county-owned and operated and that the County Board of Supervisors was consulted before the closure.

“We have communicated with the city about the announcement and will continue to keep the city apprised of the progress to reopen,” said Converse. “The Library decided to close the branch because the incidents were becoming more frequent and more severe and the danger to patrons and staff was becoming untenable.”

Converse said Antioch was notified Friday over the safety concerns.

“The Board of Supervisors and the Antioch city manager were informed yesterday afternoon,” said Converse. “The facility is county-owned and library services are county-operated, so the decision was made by the county to close the library until further security measures can be implemented.”

Supervisor Candace Andersen said a library needs to be safe and supported the decision.

“Our libraries play an important role in each of our Contra Costa communities. They should be sanctuaries for both youth and adults, a place where people feel safe, can read, learn, utilize technology and gather with one another. It was deeply troubling to learn of the activities taking place at the Antioch Library which necessitated its closure. I strongly support the County taking the necessary steps to increase security, asking law enforcement to detain and remove individuals engaging in illegal activities, and reopening the library to the community as soon as possible,” said Andersen.

She explained the library has the authority to temporary shutter under the circumstances. If it was permanent, it would require a discussion of the Board.

“It was my understanding that due to circumstances escalating this week, it was not safe to continue to operate until increased security measures could be implemented,” said Andersen.

Supervisor Diane Burgis also supported the temporary closure.

“The circumstances at the library required immediate attention to protect both patrons and staff at the Antioch Library. We are working to resolve the safety issues, but in the meantime I encourage people to visit the Prewett Library at the Antioch Community Center,” stated Burgis.

Supervisors Federal Glover did not respond to a requests for comment. Supervisor Ken Carlson said “no comment” while Supervisor John Gioia declined to comment stating he didn’t have any info and that its in the Districts of Glover and Burgis.

It is also not clear if County Librarian Alison McKee had reached out to the Board of Supervisors, County Sheriff, or City of Antioch for assistance with safety issues or if her requests for safety improvements and had been ignored.

At least three members of the Antioch City Council did not agree with the closure.

The update from Contra Costa County came after Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe issued a statement stating he was shocked at the closure.

“To say that I am shocked at the overnight closure of the library is an understatement, given that at no point were Antioch residents given warning of this possibility,” stated Thorpe.

He added, “I am even more concerned about the reasons for the Library’s closing, specifically safety concerns. According to our city administration, no one in the City of Antioch, including the police chief, was informed of any safety concerns by Contra Costa County regarding the library.”

Antioch City Councilmember Mike Barbanica, and candidate for County Board of Supervisors, expressed his concerns over the closure because it impacts five schools (Antioch High School, Antioch Middle School, Live Oak High School, Fremont and Marsh Creek Elementary) within a half-mile and more than 3,000 students, plus others who utilize the library.

“I am extremely concerned with this. I have reached out to teachers and the school district who were also not made aware of this.  This library serves over 3000 kids within 4 schools within 1 block and a 5th school within a 1/2 mile,” stated Barbanica. “Many of these kids cannot afford such basic things such as internet or a place to study and to turn our back on 3,000 children with no notice is extremely disappointing,”

Barbanica said Saturday morning he has not been contacted by the Board of Supervisors over the decision.

“I met with the city manager and confirmed that the police department assisted with two incidents at the library but the rest of the incidents were not reported to the police department. Nor, has the police department received formal request for help. The Contra Costa County Board of supervisors has not reached out to me, to my knowledge no other councilmember,” explained Barbanica. “I am in possession of an email that was sent from Alison McKee, county librarian, that email was sent to Supervisor Federal Glover and his staff February 16, 2024 at 5:03 pm where she advises him of incidents that have occurred, and due to safety reasons she is shutting down the library until further notice. Additionally, she indicates that security for the library is going to be in front of the board of supervisors very soon. I want to be very clear, this is a county run facility, not a city of Antioch facility.”

“I did not know the library in Antioch was having any safety concerns or incidents until I heard from the acting city manager that the library was closing,” said councilmember Lori Ogorochock. “The Friends of the Library came to the council meeting in January which did a presentation and presented a check for new furniture. Had there been these issues, why not share them at the meeting so we could work with them. I want to partner with them because this is a huge asset to our community, I don’t want this closed.”

Ogorchock says she would have helped facilitate a resolution to keep the library open. She added she hopes the library closure is short lived and its open sooner rather than later.

“I do want patrons, volunteers, staff to be and feel safe, that is my main concern,” said Ogorchock.

Ron Bernal, who has come out as a candidate for mayor says public safety has to be the top priority for the city.

“Public safety has to become our highest priority. At this point nothing else is more important. We need to reestablish broken relationships with our county partners and the Board of Supervisors. Change has got to start today,” said Bernal.

According to the county, there is already a security guard at the Antioch Library every day the library is open. They will be working with the security company to add an additional guard to patrol the library grounds. They will also be working with Contra Costa Public Works to expedite the repair and reinforcement of the Library’s security fence and the replacement of its security camera system.

“The decision to close a library never comes lightly and though we understand the closure impacts the community, we would encourage Antioch residents to visit the Prewett Library at the Antioch Community Center,” said Converse.

According to sources, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will be receiving a report on the closure at an upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting.

Antioch Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson did not respond when asked for comment.

The Antioch Police Department has updated its crime data for 2023 where they saw an increase in total offenses by 1,127.

With a police force that is understaffed, the city saw 131 additional burglaries, 166 additional larcenies, 45 more robberies, 399 more vandalism, 595 more vehicle thefts and 48 more weapon violations in 2023 when compared to 2022.

Here is a look at the crime data as provided on the city of Antioch website.

Antioch 2023 Crime Data

*2023 crime data is based on unaudited RMS data at the time of report generation and is subject to change

In August, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe claimed sideshows were down while in September claimed crime was down—even after data was provided by Antioch Police in a mid-year report which showed a 31.09 percent increase in crime which included 33.3% increase in homicide, 47.2% increase in robbery, 62.5% increase in burglary, 19.4% increase in theft, 85.7% increase in auto theft.