Exactly, this is crazy. This is America. We have the RIGHT to steal $268 worth of books!
<sarcasm*>
I don't mind people being held responsible for stealing from taxpayers.
It would be nice if big city libraries got "mean" when it came to kicking out vagrants.
That's a heck of a lot of books. First step would have been revoking his library privileges.
"I told [the police], 'They're right on the table, take them,'"
Oh, so he was waiting for someone to come and get them. Too little, too late, buddy.
Egads... I am very sure the library has sent out a number of notices on 18 books. How did he keep checking out so many? That is just wrong. He should be in jail. He's probably one of the dorks that held me up in the past in some research paper while waiting for the book to be returned. Phew.. I feel better now. $268 is money us taxpayers shouldn't have to cover.
They were too gentle. Stealing is stealing. Stealing from everyone should be punished.
Reminds me of a little experience I had, many years ago. A letter came to me from the mayor, and my mother was quite interested. "Lewis, why did you get a letter from the mayor?" I was required to open it in her presence. The letter revealed I had a library book overdue for THIRTY DAYS! The fine had accumulated to ... THIRTY CENTS!
My father appeared on the scene - "Take this book back to the library, RIGHT NOW!"
I'll never forget my reaction - seared into my memory - "Now?"
But I did, and I was amazed that I was doing it all the way to the library.