Citing slow police response times, library asks for a security guard

Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is asking City Council for additional funding to hire a security guard to protect library patrons and staff.

Rosanne Chan, the library's business administrator, and chief executive officer Matthew MacDonald made the request Monday night as part of a $176,175 proposed increase in municipal funding.

"We are asking $30,000 in order to contractually hire a part-time security guard," Chan told councillors.

The need for an on-site security presence was suggested by a joint health and safety committee, which cited:

• an increase in severity of library incidents
• drug use and paraphernalia on library property
• patrons who are intoxicated or have mental health issues
• long response times for police or on-call security 

Representatives of the Sault Ste. Marie Museum also attended Monday night's preliminary budget session, seeking $13,909 in additional funding for staff raises and building upgrades.

City Council will next meet on Dec. 6 and 7 to make any needed needed adjustments to the municipal budget.

Final tax rates will be set in March or April of next year.