City councillors allow continued use of controversial security screening at Millennium Library

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This article was published 09/09/2019 (2437 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg city councillors set aside criticism of an administrative report — labelled flawed and biased by opponents — to allow the continued use of controversial security screening measures at the downtown Millennium Library.

Musician John K. Samson and comedian Lara Rae were part of a large community group Monday that unsuccessfully called on a meeting of the protection, community services and parks committee to suspend the use of hand-held security wands and bag checks for all patrons 13 years and older.

The security measures will remain in place until additional funding is provided by council, or the provincial government, for additional staff resources that would establish de-escalation strategies, staff training, and to double the number of community crisis workers working at the branch (to four).

Opponents to the security screening filled the small committee room at city hall to overflowing, often heckling staff who cited an internal report that concluded the measures were effective and supported by a majority of library workers.

The airport-like security measures implemented in February have been supported by police and CUPE 500 (which represents library staff) but generated a backlash from some elements of the public and prompted the formation of opposition group, Millennium for All.

Coun. Sherri Rollins, chairwoman of the committee, criticized the report for failing to detail how and when the security measures could be ended.

Rollins also blamed the provincial government for cutting health and social services, explaining it has resulted in safety problems faced by the library. She also blamed successive provincial governments for capping library funding, which she said could be used to finance the remedial measures the committee did support.

The committee approved referring several proposals for consideration in the 2020-23 budget process, including:

— Hiring two permanent community crisis workers (annual cost of $165,877 with annual cost increases);

— Construct a “public facing community connections space” in the Millennium Library front lobby for the community crisis workers (cost: $260,190);

— Initiate a community-led cultural provider program at Millennium to enhance library services and programs (annual cost: $80,000);

— Hire a consultant to provide staff training in non-violent crisis intervention, mental health first aid and substance awareness, and a train-the-trainer program to build internal capacity and ongoing training of staff (cost: $50,000).

The only staff recommendation which the committee did not support was the proposed renovation of the entrance to accommodate entry lanes with sensor panels as a replacement for hand-held metal detectors and bag searches.

Jason Pinkney, a high school math teacher, told the committee the method and conclusions of the staff report “were laughable… The way this data was reported and the conclusions draw from it — it just doesn’t add up.”

Pinkney said he was on leave from his job due to mental health reasons, and his personal experiences at the Millennium Library since the screening measures were put in place have been traumatic. He also said screening has been applied haphazardly and puts closer scrutiny on the poor, people of colour, and refugees.

Library manager Ed Cuddy, who authored the report, said despite criticisms, he was standing by the its methodology and its conclusion the screening measures are needed.

However, Cuddy conceded they could be removed at some future time — if the other measures he recommended are funded and implemented, and show a reduction in the safety threat to library staff and visitors.

Sarah Broad, spokeswoman for Millennium for All, said she was “encouraged” with the possibility the security measures could be removed at some point, but recognized that it would be dependent on council supporting the funding.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca