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In most pools, there has been some kind of disturbance in the past year. But the variation is great. Pools with many visitors have more problems.
Many pools also report threats, harassment, and sexual abuse. On average, there are nine incidents per year, according to the report.
In just under half of the pools, visitors or staff have been victims of violence. The vast majority of swimming pool representatives assure that the same people are behind the events. These are mainly boys and men with criminal offenses.
Threats and harassment
Among libraries, everyone reports some type of crime or disorder in the last year, but as in the case of swimming pools, the variation is great, libraries in larger cities and urban areas are more vulnerable. Threats and harassment have occurred in approximately one third of the libraries. Thefts have occurred in three out of four libraries.
Virtually all libraries have had visitors who have been intoxicated and in some cases there have also been drug sales. Several interviews mention that homeless people sometimes sleep in libraries and use public toilets as toilets.
Unsafe situation for staff
First, the events create an unsafe work situation for those who work in libraries and swimming pools. Libraries need to spend a lot of time and resources developing routines for how people and situations should be handled. This means that schedules are adjusted, that certain rooms can be closed and that certain activities can be canceled if it is not possible to guarantee the safety of the personnel.
Visitors are also affected by chaos and anxiety from being exposed to crime. Therefore, some choose to visit libraries and swimming pools less frequently, according to the report.
Higher costs
Operations are also financially affected by the unrest. Pools see revenue decline when visitors are absent and costs for security and decontamination measures rise.
In libraries, costs increase when equipment is stolen and needs to be replaced.
