Shocking scenes inside LA’s libraries as ex-cons, drugs and chaos overwhelm staff, terrify visitors
By Jamie Paige
Published May 16, 2026, 5:38 p.m. ET
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Los Angeles public libraries are being overwhelmed by violence, drug use and homelessness with frightened families and librarians saying once-safe community spaces are often no-go zones.
Even enforcement measures designed to control disruptive behavior are now buckling under the strain.
Temporary Suspension Letters — which ban unruly patrons from all library branches — have surged nearly 90% from 369 in 2023 to 700 suspensions in 2025.
A California Post review of 911 logs obtained through a public records request found the emergency call outs were for assaults, criminal threats, drug use, theft, mental health crises and trespassing.
And reported incidents at libraries have skyrocketed by nearly 135% — from 979 cases in 2020 to a staggering 2,300 in 2025.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/16/us-news/los-angeles-libraries-see-surge-in-crime-drug-use-and-911-calls-across-city/
