Security guards in Sun City library locations were part of Maricopa County lease extension, RCSC board says
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Summary
An attendee questioned uniformed security at local libraries. RCSC officials told the meeting the guards were required by Maricopa County as part of a lease negotiation and that the county's decision — not RCSC's — placed guards in the facilities.
A resident raised concerns about uniformed security guards stationed inside Sun City library branches, calling the presence "an unsavory and mistaken representation" for the community. The resident said she had not seen proof of the incidents that prompted the change and asked why uniformed guards were patrolling the stacks.
Board President Tom Foster responded that the decision was part of a lease negotiation with the Maricopa County Library System. "It was Maricopa County who said, 'We're gonna put guards in there,'" Foster said. He added the library lease is a five-year arrangement and that RCSC could seek renegotiation when the lease next comes up.
Foster said the guards were intended as a deterrent, and that because the library facilities are county-run, RCSC does not control that staffing decision. He suggested reopening the issue when the lease is next negotiated.
No policy change or action by the RCSC board to remove guards was recorded during the meeting; directors suggested members raise concerns with county officials or the county supervisor if they want the arrangement revisited.
Provenance: Public comment criticizing library security and board response explaining the county lease.
