Last modified: Wednesday, June 7, 2006 1:50 AM EDT Library seeks more security BY GEORGE W. RHODES/ SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO -- Relative quiet at the Attleboro Public Library has been shattered in recent months by back-talking, unruly youths, prompting officials to seek an increase in security money. Library Director Walter Stitt told city councilors that an additional $16,232 is needed to hire a part-time security officer to help library staff keep the peace on weekday afternoons when school is dismissed. Stitt said there's been a rash of incidents involving teenagers being loud, rude and defiant with staff members who have tried unsuccessfully to regulate an increasing amount of disruptive behavior. `` People don't want to follow the rules, and they're back-talking staff,'' he said. The incidents are not physical, but the verbal confrontations have risen to a level that's caused distress among library employees and peaceful patrons, he said. The library has transferred almost $3,400 to its security account since the beginning of the year to pay for a daily three-hour, oneofficer security shift. `` It was very stressful for the staff to be confronting these kids,'' Stitt said. `` Most of the spring it's been necessary to have a security service in there.'' Mayor Kevin Dumas has recommended an increase in the annual allotment for security, but not close to the level sought by Stitt. Dumas, who was not available for comment, aims to add $2,000 to the annual $5,000 security appropriation next year. The added money will be used to hire a security officer if there's another outbreak of bad behavior. While the increase won't fund year-long security, it creates a safety net if trouble breaks out, Stitt said. `` If I have a crisis, I have money to fall back on,'' he said. `` If that doesn't fix it, then I'll have to talk to (city hall) about what to do next.'' The annual $5,000 covers an officer for one hour every night who makes sure the building is empty at closing time and locks doors and windows. Youths who disrupt the library get their privileges suspended. Some chronic troublemakers have had `` no-trespass orders'' served on them, which means they can be arrested if they come on library property, said Stitt a 29-year city employee. Most of the problems are inside the library, but Stitt said staff members also have to frequently remind skate board-riding youths they are not allowed on library steps. City police have helped out by instructing staff in ways to deal with obstreperous youngsters and have pledged to walk through the library on weekday afternoons to help deter troublemakers. Stitt said he appreciates the additional money and the overall budget provided by the mayor. `` I sound negative, but that's not my feeling,'' he said. `` The overall budget is positive. We got part of what we wanted. It's not like the door was slammed in our face.'' But he still believes more security money is needed. `` I wish the line item were funded because it seemed to be working,'' he told the council, which has no power to increase appropriations. Meanwhile, money for this year has run out and Stitt is holding his breath as he waits to see what happens. `` We're about to find out what the experience will be without her,'' he said of the security officer. GEORGE RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.