Nelson Weekly
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03 539 0066
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www.simplicity.co.nz
Wednesday 4 September 2019
Local author celebrates girls
Pages 17-20
Page 9
Athletes take on Dun Run
Page 29
Security at library after threats Sara Hollyman
‘Goldilocks’ and her 300 bears Charmaine Beaumont has more than 320 bears and soft dolls in her collection. Story on page 2. Photo: Sara Hollyman.
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A spate of threatening behaviour at Elma Turner Library has prompted Nelson City Council to station a security guard on site. The council recently revealed that in a 16-day period in July, staff and customers at the library were subjected to harassment and threatening behaviour, with the majority of the incidents appearing to be alcohol and or drug-related. Between July 8 and July 23, 14 separate incidents were reported, along with various violations of trespass and general intoxication. Police and ambulance were required at a number of the incidents with three people trespassed. On July 9, the council decided to hire a security guard for 30 hours per week after noticing what was happening at the library. Councillor Paul Matheson told a recent council meeting that he has witnessed the disturbances on two occasions when he has been at the Elma Turner Library working as a Justice of the Peace. “It seems to be centred around the WiFi area, where the disturbances happen.” He says he feels for staff at the library. “Frankly, having to keep a beady eye on the happenings down there, it is an issue and quite rightly it’s been raised.” Council health and safety adviser, Malcolm Hughes, told an Audit Risk and Finance subcommittee meeting last week that the security incidents did take time to settle down, which was expected by police and security staff. There has only been one reported incident since the security guard took up their post at the library.
SEE PAGE 2
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