Newton Library to Install New Security Cameras

After a rash of recent thefts, break-ins and assaults at the Newton Free Library, city officials have approved funding for a set of new security cameras for the Homer Street building.

The Board of Aldermen voted at its April 16 meeting to approve $37,500 for the security cameras. 

According to the minutes from the April 8 Finance Committee meeting, there have been 10 thefts from the library since January 2012, with the last two resulting in physical altercations. The recent reports include:

• March 6 - A suspect reportedly attacked a man at the Newton Free Library in an attempt to steal the victim's laptop.

• Jan. 10 - A 65-year-old male reported that as he was leaving the library, a person pushed him from behind and stole his shoulder bag containing an Apple MacBook, according to Newton Police reports. 

• March 27 - A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into the library by smashing a window. The man then broke into the cash register before hiding out in the bathroom. 

• April 9 - Police responded to the library for reports of break-in. According to police reports, someone smashed a library window overnight, entered the building and stole money from the cash register.

During the April 8 Finance Committee meeting, Library Director Phil McNulty told aldermen that neighboring communities, including Brookline and Waltham, use security cameras in their public libraries and do not experience the same level of crime.

According to the meeting minutes, 12 cameras would be installed at all entry/exit points as well as "transitional areas" in the library. There will also be signs in the library informing patrons there are security cameras in use.

McNulty clarified that cameras will not be installed in areas where they could capture what a library patron is working on, the minutes said. In addition, tapes will only be reviewed when there is an incident.

A policy is also being set up that will clarify how long tapes are kept, McNulty said.

Following the Finance Committee's unanimous approval on April 8, the Board of Aldermen approved the camera funding 18-2 (three absent) on April 16; aldermen Ted Hess-Mahan and Marc Laredo voted against the item.