Boulder, Colorado library closed due to meth contamination

[SeniorBen]

The main library in Boulder, about 30 miles northwest of Denver, was shut down on Dec. 20, when test results from restroom exhaust vents showed methamphetamine contamination, the city said in a statement.

Officials said the city had conducted the tests “voluntarily and out of an abundance of caution” after receiving reports of people smoking meth, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant known to cause several adverse health effects, in the library’s restrooms in November and early December.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/us/boulder-colorado-meth-library.html

Frickin' inconsiderate, homeless bastards. They've destroyed much of downtown Denver, too, defecating and urinating on the streets.

I remember a few years ago, I was in downtown Denver and a homeless guy, probably around thirty or so, demanded five dollars from me. I just glared at him, right in the eyes, as I walked by. I might have given him something had he not been such a rude bastard.

 

[hollydolly]

The main library in Boulder, about 30 miles northwest of Denver, was shut down on Dec. 20, when test results from restroom exhaust vents showed methamphetamine contamination, the city said in a statement.

Officials said the city had conducted the tests “voluntarily and out of an abundance of caution” after receiving reports of people smoking meth, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant known to cause several adverse health effects, in the library’s restrooms in November and early December.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/us/boulder-colorado-meth-library.html

Frickin' inconsiderate, homeless bastards. They've destroyed much of downtown Denver, too, defecating and urinating on the streets.

I remember a few years ago, I was in downtown Denver and a homeless guy, probably around thirty or so, demanded five dollars from me. I just glared at him, right in the eyes, as I walked by. I might have given him something had he not been such a rude bastard.

Ben..Ben... BEN.... ... sometimes you shouldn't sit on the fence... just say what you think...

 

[Pepper]

Frickin' inconsiderate, homeless bastards. They've destroyed much of downtown Denver, too, defecating and urinating on the street

Where are they supposed to go?

 

[chic]

Where are they supposed to go?

It's a national disgrace that we, one of the most prosperous nations cannot or will not house and feed our homeless population.

 

[Chet]

Considering Colorado's lax drug laws, what do they expect?

CRS 18-18-404 is the Colorado law making it a level 2 drug misdemeanor to use controlled substances, typically punishable by up to $500 and one year of probation. The two exceptions are when (1) the person has a valid prescription, or (2) the person is using recreational marijuana.

 

[JimBob1952]

It's a national disgrace that we, one of the most prosperous nations cannot or will not house and feed our homeless population.

Somebody who smokes meth in a public library needs a "home" in the local jail.

 

[SeniorBen]

Ben..Ben... BEN.... ... sometimes you shouldn't sit on the fence... just say what you think...

I'm a live and let live kind of guy. What people do in their personal lives is their own business. But when it infringes on the lives of others, that's where I draw the line.

Several other libraries in the area are closed due to meth use in their bathrooms. People can't use the libraries. Homeless people who don't bother anyone can't spend the day in the library. Kids can't use the libraries. All because of these inconsiderate bastards.

 

[Wren]

Rather than close the libraries, could they not just keep the bathrooms locked, to be opened on request or employ a staff member to admit people, reporting any meth smokers ?

 

[Pepper]

Excellent suggestion @Wren

 

[perChance]

Rather than close the libraries, could they not just keep the bathrooms locked, to be opened on request or employ a staff member to admit people, reporting any meth smokers ?

How would they deal with the assaulted and injured library staff?

 

[hollydolly]

I'm a live and let live kind of guy. What people do in their personal lives is their own business. But when it infringes on the lives of others, that's where I draw the line.

Several other libraries in the area are closed due to meth use in their bathrooms. People can't use the libraries. Homeless people who don't bother anyone can't spend the day in the library. Kids can't use the libraries. All because of these inconsiderate bastards.

Disgraceful.. Homeless people are one thing.. they need help wherever we can give it.. but homeless or not..illegal activities in public areas is just that....illegal, and these people should be arrested , or at the very least removed from areas such as libraries , and it made clear to them they will be breaking laws and could be arrested and jailed if they go back

You're right..Inconsiderate.. but not only that Selfish.. Selfish because it's their decision to use drugs.. and because of their Addiction, they're negatively affecting other people's lives.. ..how dare they !!

 

[CarolfromTX]

Where are they supposed to go?

To smoke crack or just in general? Because a public library has a purpose and it’s not to give bums a place to sleep or to use drugs.

 

[Wren]

How would they deal with the assaulted and injured library staff?

Shouldn’t be too much of a problem

 

[JimBob1952]

I like Dobermanns myself...

 

[Murrmurr]

Oh good Lord, people are gonna start climbing into restroom vents by the freaking thousands.

 

[Murrmurr]

It's a national disgrace that we, one of the most prosperous nations cannot or will not house and feed our homeless population.

Well that's not a very profitable idea there, Chic.
Sorry, that one gets rejected - not even worth debating.

 

[chic]

Well that's not a very profitable idea there, Chic.
Sorry, that one gets rejected - not even worth debating.

You're right but it's worth trying. These people could become productive members of society if they were properly housed and fed. I worked with the homeless all through my college years and they did not want to be homeless. Most were left homeless by parents not ready to parent a child and had been on the street since grade school age. That was the most appalling part. They never had the foundation most of us take for granted.

 

[WhatInThe]

Rather than close the libraries, could they not just keep the bathrooms locked, to be opened on request or employ a staff member to admit people, reporting any meth smokers ?

Went to libraries that had to do that on more than one occassion. It's a pain the homeless and junkies ruin it for everyone. One library I went to the bathroom was trashed with in a hour of opening. Every single paper towel and piece of tp was gone and walls splattered with dirt among other things.

One way to prevent that is don't let people sleep in the library. Our local library allows that and the same 1/2 dozen or so spend the entire day there. Some zonk out and take up two chairs but they tolerate it. The bathrooms are useable so there not totally gone yet. Ironic some homeless shelters don't want people hanging out during the day they can only go there to sleep at night.

 

[JimBob1952]

You're right but it's worth trying. These people could become productive members of society if they were properly housed and fed. I worked with the homeless all through my college years and they did not want to be homeless. Most were left homeless by parents not ready to parent a child and had been on the street since grade school age. That was the most appalling part. They never had the foundation most of us take for granted.

There are three kinds of homeless people: a) The unlucky and/or unfortunate; b) those abusing drugs and alcohol; and c) the mentally ill. There is a lot of overlap among groups b) and c).

All three groups need help, but different kinds of help. Unfortunately some homeless "advocates" act as if this were a one-size-fits-all problem and that the answer for everything is more housing. It's not.

 

[Muskrat]

First clean the bathrooms and vents. TSP will do it. Then get some volunteer bathroom monitors. It is not the end of the world . Homeless folks who are sleeping in the library probably do not have another warm, safe place to be. Winter in colorado can be lethal. As for the comments about “bums”who are addicts….remember most of the substances they are addicted to were once legal. My point being if cigarets or any opiod became illegal including in prescription form how many “bums” are among us?

 

[Victoria]

Wow, that is so sad. I used to love going to the library as a kid and can't imagine the library becoming a place for the homeless. I thought the library was one of the few safe places.

 

[RandomName]

Wow, that is so sad. I used to love going to the library as a kid and can't imagine the library becoming a place for the homeless. I thought the library was one of the few safe places.

My library has allowed homeless people to hang out for years, but lately they are getting even stranger. A few days ago, I had a meth head young woman (maybe) babbling away near me at the computer carrels. A library staff member had to come over and tell her to be quiet. She quieted down a little, but not much. The homeless folks sit anywhere, including at a computer they aren't even using. Just camp out there all day until closing time. Depressing as ****.

 

[Pepper]

If in a shelter, the homeless usually get kicked out in the early morning and have nowhere to go & nothing to do. My library used to show movies based on displayed books, and there was one couple who never missed a show. They brought with them bags of food and were constantly eating and there is no food allowed but the librarian told me she was nervous about asking them not to as otherwise they were "well behaved."