Boston Blotter: Libraries Can Be Scary Places

And you thought the library stacks were quiet! Well, just because people are quiet doesn't mean they aren't up to something.

Last Friday, a 59-year-old Marshfield man was caught gazing upon child porn on his computer – while the library was jam-packed with kids. It was his own laptop, but he was allegedly using the library's wireless for evil.

Just a few days ago, WCVB reported on bad things happening within the Boston Public Library. But a recent report from a security firm indicated the following incidents:

The reports from 2005 and 2006 document 40 incidents of disorderly behavior including profanity, verbal abuse and vandalism, 15 cases of patrons under the influence, 20 reports of assault, including getting physical with library staff. In one case, a teen pulled a knife on another teen. Most troubling was a number of incidents of sexual misconduct, ranging from pornography to open sexual activity.

Yuck. The public libraries in this area have fantastic resources, especially compared to other parts of the country. So we're hoping that assaulters and porn-surfers get caught. But we don't mind homeless people taking naps because where else are they going to go? And we'll give a free pass to anyone looking to get freaky in the stacks so long as those involved are consenting adults and that they clean up after themselves!

As for the weird blotter stuff, most of it involved food. The BPD took in a man who was caught trying to shoplift shrimp by stuffing it into his sleeves! If you're going to shoplift, perhaps you should think of grabbing something less unwieldy and less aromatic.

And pizza delivery guys unite! Their job is tough enough as it is, but one of their own was assaulted by two creeps on Longfellow Street.

All charges alleged until proven under law. Image of the BPL from Flickr user Steve Parker.