In a city dealing with one of the highest crime rates in the nation, San Francisco public librarians have taken to the streets to voice their concerns over the lack of security at their workplaces.
The protesters, represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021, argue that the absence of trained security guards at most of the city’s 28 library locations has left librarians and other staff members vulnerable to potentially dangerous and violent situations.
Jessica Choy, a part-time librarian, recounted a harrowing incident at a branch without a guard: “I had to approach a patron who was swearing at other people. He ended up kicking in a glass door. My coworkers and I did our best to resolve it and keep people safe, but having trained security guards at every location would be a better solution than hoping librarians are able to handle potentially dangerous situations alone.”
Law and order in San Francisco has completely broken down. Here is a rouge tow truck driver trying to steal an occupied car in broad daylight. pic.twitter.com/yHc6zz0tZQ
— @amuse (@amuse) April 11, 2024
The librarians’ protest serves as yet another example of how progressive policies, championed by left-wing activists and politicians, have created disastrous consequences for the city and its residents.
San Francisco’s soft-on-crime approach, which gained traction during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, has contributed to a wave of lawlessness that has left the city reeling.
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According to NeighborhoodScout, San Francisco’s crime rate surpasses 98% of California’s communities, with violent offenses such as rape, murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault ranking among the highest in the nation.
The city’s response to this crisis has been slow and inadequate, with only recent measures approved by voters granting police greater powers and mandating drug-addicted welfare recipients to undergo treatment before receiving cash payments.
San Francisco librarians are demanding an armed security guard at every branch because the "homeless, drug and mental health crises" are "spilling into their workplaces."
This is Gavin Newsom's "model for the nation."
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) April 10, 2024
In addition to the crime epidemic, San Francisco is also grappling with a mounting feces problem and worsening homelessness.
The city received 32,000 calls about human waste on the streets in 2023, a significant increase from the 26,000 complaints in 2018.
The homeless population has also surged, with 7,754 individuals categorized as such in 2023 compared to 6,858 in 2017.
The librarians’ protest illustrates the urgent need for a reevaluation of the city’s progressive policies, which have failed to address the root causes of crime and social dysfunction.
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As San Francisco continues to struggle with the consequences of its left-wing agenda, it is clear that a more balanced and pragmatic approach is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents, including those who serve the community in public spaces like libraries.
