By J. Larry Carroll Santa Monica didn’t even have time to break her fall. Celia hit the concrete face first, sustaining severe abrasions on her face and the backs of both hands, as well as a busted lip.
It was a blow hard enough to send Celia to the emergency room for several hours until her nosebleed could be brought under control. Hard enough for her to sustain a whiplash. Hard enough for her to be sent home for more than a week on doctor’s orders. And hard enough to require two follow-up medical visits with more likely. Even now, two weeks later, the abrasions are still healing, her upper lip is still swollen, and she has not regained full use of her right hand.
I also take issue with city librarian Greg Mullen’s statement that he has assigned “library inspectors to patrol the branches and create a presence there.” Going from absolutely no presence to some is, of course, an improvement. But the only real fix is to have an inspector on duty at all times when the branches are open. An hour or two of uniformed presence each day won’t do. Mr. Hardy felt free to attack Celia because he knew she was alone in the branch with one other female employee.
Mr. Mullen is also quoted as saying, “We don’t have a lot of incidents or any significant security issues.” This is simply not true. There is a long and well-documented history of problems at both Ocean Park and Fairview. I am personally aware of numerous incidents of vandalism, theft, arson, burglary, disruptive behavior, public intoxication, verbal abuse of staff, assault, and now assault and battery. Many of these occurred while the librarians were distracted while being, well, librarians. And many have occurred within the last 12 months.
In less than 60 days, Melvin Winston Hardy will be back on our streets. No doubt the City Attorney will obtain a “stay away” order barring him from the library. But there also is no doubt this will mean little, if anything, to Mr. Hardy. He has been a problem at Ocean Park for some time. Celia pointed him out to me a week before she was attacked. The staff is terrified of Mr. Hardy. And having helped detain him myself, I don’t think their fears are unfounded. However mentally ill he may be, Mr. Hardy is a danger to others. He needs to be supervised. And our city staff and citizens need to be protected.
We are blessed in Santa Monica not only with great libraries but also great, nationally acclaimed librarians. They do not discriminate between rich and poor, young and old, or privileged and disadvantaged. Our librarians graciously greet and assist all who come through their doors. The services they provide our community are invaluable.
Fortunately, for the staff at the Main Library, there are always several library inspectors on duty to watch their backs. Don’t we owe our branch librarians — and their patrons — the same security? Is the city of Santa Monica truly too impoverished to provide — immediately — two or three full-time security guards to protect the Ocean Park, Fairview and Montana libraries? Before Melvin Winston Hardy — or someone worse — returns?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 31, 2006. Read the original PDF.