Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Library topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library logs 65 incidents Feb'025'025; staff describe tracking system and in-house security approach
Summary
Library staff presented a Patron Incident Tracking System (PITS) report showing 65 recorded incidents from February through June, including threats/harassment, disruptions, intoxication and six sleeping incidents; the report noted 33 calls to Appleton Police and seven instances of patrons returning after being restricted.
Library staff presented the Appleton Public Library's safety and security report at the trustees' Aug. 19 meeting, summarizing 65 incidents recorded in the Patron Incident Tracking System (PITS) from the building's February opening through June.
Staff described how incidents are classified, how restrictions are handled, and how the library's in-house, part-time security guards have provided continuity and relationship-based responses compared with prior contracted guards.
Why it matters: The report provides trustees with operational data about patron safety, staffing and the library's approach to disruptions. The board and staff discussed how the building's design helps patrons self-separate from noisy activities and how the security team and local police collaborate on escalated incidents.
Report highlights presented at the meeting:
- Total incidents (Feb'025 opening through June): 65 recorded incidents in PITS.
- Categories noted: threats/harassment (multiple incidents ranging from verbal harassment to threats of violence), disruption, intoxication, medical incidents (five), potential theft, sleeping (six incidents recorded; staff documented warnings and removals), and two reported fights.
- Police involvement: staff reported calling the Appleton Police Department 33 times for matters ranging from welfare checks to escalations; staff said APD response has been responsive and careful around patrons in crisis.
- Restrictions and re-entries: staff reported seven instances of people returning after having been restricted; when staff confirm the person was notified of the restriction, restrictions are typically extended.
- In-house security: staff said the in-house part-time security guards have had low turnover and can form long-term relationships with regular patrons; staff described the guards as using a gentle, relationship-oriented approach and noted that guards sometimes assist patrons in crisis.
- Recording policy: staff said PITS entries are entered by staff as incidents occur and that for the board report they avoided double-counting an event across multiple categories by assigning the primary incident type.
Trustee questions and clarifications at the meeting included whether incidents involved adults or teens (staff said nearly all incidents involved adults), whether re-entries corresponded to other incident categories (staff said they often do), and whether the library is pursuing partnerships such as a UW Oshkosh social-work student/community navigator pilot (staff said they remain engaged with UWO and are seeking appropriate student placements).
Next steps: Staff said they will provide trustees with this safety report twice a year; the next consolidated report will include the full-year totals and allow year-over-year comparisons.
