A man was banned from “all the libraries on the face of the earth” for reportedly masturbating in a Racine, Wisconsin library.
Tyree S. Carter, age 20, was reportedly caught with his pants down by Racine library staff last week. Staff members contacted the authorities when they observed the man standing on the second floor of the library, masturbating in plain sight.
The Journal Times reports that, when authorities arrived, they found the homeless man quietly reading a book . When questioned, Carter was reportedly confused and did not remember doing anything wrong. He eventually admitted to officers that he had been masturbating but apologized for his behavior.
Carter was arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior and is currently being held on $1,000 bond. One of the conditions of his bond specified that Carter must “stay out of all the libraries on the face of the earth.”
Many libraries, particularly those in larger cities, have become daytime shelters for the homeless. Libraries offer shelter from the elements and provide activity for those who have nowhere else to go.
Although this might be viewed negatively by some, many libraries have developed programs that cater to homeless patrons. Some libraries have taken steps such as providing resources and hiring social workers and attorneys to assist the homeless .
As reported by KALW , the programs are credited with reducing some of the negative issues associated with homeless patrons . Supporters of the program stress that as the economy declined, more and more people lost their homes. With programs in place to help with job searches and housing, they strive to help people rebuild their lives.
Unfortunately, there are some homeless patrons who are mentally ill or use poor judgment. Tyree Carter is facing the possibility of an $11,000 fine and up to one year in jail for his behavior in the library. The judge has decided to ban Carter from “all the libraries in the face of the earth” at least until the conclusion of his case.
[Image via Wikipedia ]