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South Brooklyn Branch of Cleveland Public Library brainstorming new safety measures after homicides

Posted at 10:57 PM, Sep 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-25 23:20:08-04

CLEVELAND — It's a tragedy that rocked the entire Old Brooklyn Community.

"Churches and libraries are main institutions, these are places that you used to be able to go and trust and relax," said Old Brooklyn resident Joe Bialek.

After 19-year-old Brandon Cutnoe's life was cut short at the Cleveland Public Library South Brooklyn Branch, the community and folks from the library are coming together to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

Dozens of concerned people spent a few hours brainstorming possible safety solutions

"It's going to come down to what meeting, what activities, what organizing, what communicating goes on after this meeting because that's how you're going to solve the problem," said Bialek.

The youngest meeting attendee, 10-year-old Jaylyn, was outspoken.

"I love the librarians here and I love the community and I just want whats best for them," said Jaylyn.

She has ideas of how to keep her beloved go-to after school spot safe.

"Personally I want to see metal detectors that is a for sure thing," she said.

The South Brooklyn branch has already put new safety measures in place. The bathrooms now only allow one person in at a time and patrons have to be buzzed in.

Felton Thomas, the executive director for Cleveland Public Libraries, says that's not the only new safety precaution they've taken.

"We've made sure that we have started a campaign, see something say something no only for internally for all of our staff to know, but you'll see signs up around for our public," said Thomas.

He adds there will be more meetings in the future, with the community and library staff.

RELATED: Teen arrested in connection to fatal shooting at Cleveland library