Wahiawa Library will get burglary alarm system

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

Ten alarm companies have offered to supply security services to Wahiawa Public Library, which has been burglarized six times since last August.

The state is reviewing the offers and will select a company to install and service an alarm system for the library as soon as possible.

Martha Hanson, president of Friends of the Wahiawa Library, said the group would help pay a monthly service charge if needed.

In the past 12 months, there have been six burglaries at the library at 820 California Ave., with an estimated $10,500 worth of items taken. The latest theft was last weekend when computer equipment and DVDs were among the items targeted.

Temporary branch manager Anthony Hooper said he has no plans to replace the stolen equipment until he is sure the library can be made secure. Hooper said that along with an alarm system, he hopes to provide better lighting around the back door where most of the burglars entered the building.

Hooper said that every time the library is broken into, money to repair the damage comes out of their operating budget.

Hanson said she is heartened by the response by from both the security companies and the community to help the library.