A violent incident outside the downtown Portland Central Library on July 1 has prompted significant discussions about security enhancements at the site.
The shooting left 50-year-old Douglas Ivers dead and has raised renewed concerns about safety within the library.
In response, Annie Lewis, Multnomah County’s Director of Libraries, addressed the Board of Commissioners, outlining potential changes that could include the installation of metal detectors and bag searches.
Lewis acknowledged the complexity of such a decision, emphasizing that introducing weapons detection in a public library carries substantial risks and implications that must be carefully assessed.
“Weapons detection in a public library is a really significant measure to take,” Lewis told the board, highlighting the need for thoughtful consideration.
Surveillance footage from the library revealed that Ivers and the suspected shooter, 26-year-old Hassan Muse, were seen inside the building shortly before the confrontation that led to Ivers’ death.
Both men were suspected of being armed while in the library—Muse with a firearm and Ivers carrying bear spray.
Following the tragic shooting, tensions surfaced between county and city officials regarding the responsibility for improving security measures around the library.
However, differences were set aside as city, county, and police leaders established a collaborative group to address safety issues in the area, which includes key individuals like police Chief Bob Day’s Chief of Staff Robert King and the city’s Director of Community Safety Stephanie Howard.
In response to the shooting, the county has already taken steps to enhance safety at the library.
Measures implemented include an increase in security personnel, limitations on Wi-Fi access during off-hours, and enhanced 24-hour monitoring through security cameras outside the facility.
Moreover, the police department has boosted bike squad patrols in the neighborhood surrounding the library, with the aim of reducing local crime rates.
Chief Robert King assured the Board of Commissioners that innovative and collaborative approaches are being explored to tackle the ongoing safety challenges.
As discussions about adding metal detectors advance, Lewis provided preliminary estimates indicating that such a system, along with the necessary staffing, could exceed $750,000 annually.
Implementing metal detectors would require a formal vote from the Board and adherence to state laws concerning authorized administrative searches.
Additionally, Lewis raised concerns about the potential impact on the library’s homeless population, many of whom utilize the facility regularly and often carry their belongings.
“We would likely need to limit the number and size of bags that come into the Central Library, which has very significant implications for our unhoused community,” Lewis noted.
The proposed security enhancements may also include removing benches from the front of the building, installing vapor sensors in restrooms to detect illicit drug use, and improving access to on-site behavioral health resources.
Lewis is scheduled to return to the Board of Commissioners in September to present further details regarding what enhanced security measures at the Central Library may entail.
The outcome of these discussions could shape the future environment of the downtown library, balancing the need for safety with the mission of serving the diverse community that relies on its resources.
image source from：chronline
