Costly damage done to Thompson library

THOMPSON, Conn. (WTNH) - After a Thompson library has been hit by vandalism, leaving shattered windows and costly damages, changes are being made to ensure security.

Nine windows have been shot at the Thompson Public Library and Community Center. Four were shot out in the room where children normally read.

Three different walls of windows were targeted by the gun wielding vandals on Aug. 26, and then again over Labor Day weekend.

The windows appear to have been hit by a pellet gun. They are double-pane, so they didn't have to be boarded up right away, but they are custom made.

"This window right here is approximately a thousand dollars," says Larry Groh (D) First Selectman.

"That's really disturbing, cause I mean we love going there, it's really a nice...it's very disturbing," says Lisa Twomey of Thompson.

Surveillance cameras were first proposed because of vandalism to the library's book drop and bike rack. That idea had to be removed from the budget because of cutbacks.

"It really bothers me when people go and destroy other people's property like this," says Groh.

Now Groh says he wants the cameras installed, and will ask the Board of Finance for $5,000 to do so.

"A security system would help in the fact of bringing someone to justice, and have them pay for what they should be, and trying to prevent stuff like this from happening," says Groh.

The library director has been keeping the blinds closed until the windows are fixed because she doesn't want the folks who use the library to be disturbed or distracted by the mess.