If something explodes at Brandeis, these librarians can congratulate themselves that they protected the civil rights of the bombers. “City stalls FBI access in library,” from the Daily News Tribune, with thanks to Rafic:
NEWTON — Law enforcement and Newton Free Library officials were embroiled in a tense standoff last week when the city refused to let police and the FBI examine library computers without a warrant.
Police rushed to the main library last Wednesday after it was determined that a terrorist threat to Brandeis University had been sent from a computer at the library.
But requests to examine any of its computers were rebuffed by library Director Kathy Glick-Weil and Mayor David Cohen on the grounds that they did not have a warrant.
While one law enforcement official said he was “totally disgusted” with the city”s attempt to hold up a time-sensitive investigation of a potential terrorist threat, Cohen is defending the library”s actions, calling it one of Newton’s “finest hours.”
“We showed you can enforce the law…without jeopardizing the privacy of innocent citizens,” Cohen said.
There is more, if you have the stomach.