Enumclaw Library a Safe Place in Spite of Recent Incidents, Police Say

The arrest of a man accused of molesting a child in an Enumclaw library bathroom last week, plus two more arrests in the parking lot involving police officers drawing weapons Wednesday, may have residents worried about whether the library is still a safe place to go -- and to take their children.

One commenter on Enumclaw Patch's Facebook page lamented Wednesday: "...with the recent incidents at the library it makes me want to stay away from there right now, gee whiz!"

Capt. Bob Huebler notes of the number of incidents, "it was very unusual over the course of the last several weeks."

The arrest last week of sex offender Travis Lear who reportedly threatened to kill his 11-year-old victim unless she did as she was told, was jarring news. Then Wednesday, police were working an investigation to arrest a suspect involved in a vehicle prowl on Cole Street when the person coincidentally was also going to the library to take part in a narcotics transaction, he said.

The Courier-Herald reported that though guns were drawn, the arrests were made without incident.

There's no reason to avoid the library due to these recent incidents, Huebler said. "I would strongly encourage people to go to the library," he said. "The library should always be a place for people who want to learn and congregate."

For those who are still worried, KCLS director Bill Ptacek told KING5 last week the library would be reviewing its security procedures though no immediate changes were planned.

Tell Us: Have the recent incidents at the Enumclaw library given you pause about making use of the local resource? If so, what changes would you like to see to make you feel safe?