California Library Shuts Down Amid Rising Crime Concerns

The Antioch Community Library closes indefinitely to address safety issues, with no reopening date announced.

The Antioch Community Library in Contra Costa County, California, is closing indefinitely due to a surge in criminal activity that has threatened the safety of patrons and staff.
The decision to close was announced on Friday, with the closure beginning on Saturday, and comes after repeated dangerous incidents at the library.
During the closure, the library plans to implement additional security measures, though there is no estimated date for reopening.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe expressed surprise at the decision, stating that city officials, including the police chief, were not informed of the safety concerns.
The closure reflects a broader issue of rising crime in California, with similar closures of businesses and institutions reported in Oakland and San Francisco.