Posted on 07/01/2006 3:16:41 AM PDT by Marius3188
A Baytown woman got pulled over, thinking she'd just get a ticket. Instead, she was arrested and you won't believe why. It's a story that will have you thinking twice about keeping those library books long after they're due.
Making sure her eight-year-old son, Jose, is a proficient reader is important to Joanne Ibarra, so books are also important. They just might not be coming from Baytown's Sterling Library anymore.
"I don't want to see them. I don't want to see any more books, not right now," laughed Ibarra.
Ibarra laughs it off, but it was a serious situation that all started Tuesday when a Baytown officer pulled her over for a traffic violation near Commerce and West Texas Avenue. The officer issued three traffic citations for disregarding a traffic sign, no insurance, and no driver's license. But then he found a warrant and the cuffs came out.
Ibarra couldn't believe the reason for her arrest.
"I didn't know you could go to jail for not returning a library book," she said.
"It's a violation of the city ordinance," explained Baytown Assistant City Manager Kelvin Knauf.
Knauf said both the city attorney and the library sent Ibarra notices about her overdue book and her $118 fine.
After months with no response, a warrant was issued for her arrest and the rest is history. Ibarra says she never received the notices because she moved, but she accepts responsibility for her actions, even though she thinks the consequence was extreme.
"We want them to obey the rules and obey the city ordinances and return the materials on time," siad Knauf.
As for the book in question, Ibarra says she's not even sure which book it was. On Tuesday, she paid the $118 fine and $50 court cost.
As for the city of Houston, they refer overdue library book cases to collection agencies.
I wouldn't try it in New York, either.
LT. BOOKMAN: Well, let me tell you something, funny boy. Y'know that little stamp, the one that says "New York Public Library"? Well that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole hell of a lot.
Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before: Flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you'rethinking. What's this guy making such a big stink about old librarybooks? Well, let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me. Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change the world, but what about that kid, sitting down, opening a book, right now, in a branch at the local library and finding drawings of pee-pees and wee-wees on the Cat in the Hat and the Five Chinese Brothers? Doesn't HE deserve better? Look. If you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped! Or: maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld; maybe that's how y'get your kicks. You and your good-time buddies. Well I got a flash for ya, joy-boy: Party time is over. Y'got seven days, Seinfeld. That is one week!
And that episode was just on, too! OTOH, e-Knaufs eKnauf...
$118.00 and a warrant does seem like a lot for a book. But if one does decide to be a library scofflaw, it might be wise to avoid running stop signs and to keep one's insurance and drivers license current. Oh, and let the post office know you've moved. They will forward stuff like bills, warning letters and warrants.
You're so practical! Warning letters and warrants, and the post office may want your picture on their wall, too!
I had an arrest warrant issued against me for a 6-year-old ticket for walking a dog without a leash. I never ran to the press about it, although I probably should've.
No driver's license and no insurance concerns me much more than her stealing a library book.
Most of us just haven't been caught........yet.
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