COPAKE — Roe-Jan Community Library Board of Trustees President Ned Schneier makes a strong argument that the six bullets shot from the side of Route 22 toward the front entrance of the library early last week were a deliberate act.
It happened only eight days after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building. The shooting occurred sometime after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, and was discovered the following morning, when a driver dropping off books as part of the library’s membership with the Mid-Hudson Library System saw the damage.
Six rifle shots were fired from the road, approximately 200 feet away from the front of the building. Two bullets shattered slate shingles to the right of the front door. The glass on the front door was hit and shattered and the bullets went through the sheetrock on the inside of the building.
If the incident had occurred on a Friday or Saturday night, Schneier said, it would be easier to say that the shots were the results of something like drunken miscreancy.
“But Sunday seems so bizarre,� he said. “It seems like it had a purpose. You’re sending a message by doing something like this.�
Schneier acknowledged that the construction of the new library building was not without its detractors, some of whom felt the project was too expensive and should have been more centrally located in Hillsdale. The library’s mailing address is Hillsdale, although it is technically in the town of Copake.
But if the shots were fired as a sign of displeasure with the building, that opinion is not shared by the majority of local residents, both Schneier and fellow board Trustee Steven Tiger agreed.
“The reaction is total outrage by the community,� Tiger said. “Anybody who walks in the library is outraged. It’s the largest community-donated project probably in Columbia County. It’s a $3 million building, and all the funds were raised by local people and through grants.�
Prior to the events of Nov. 14, there was nothing but positive news to report from the opening of the library. Schneier said more than 100 new library cards have been applied for in the previous week.
“There was, and still is, so much good will going on with the new building. Everything had been going beautifully,� he said.
An insurance claim has been filed for the damage, which the trustees estimated at $5,000 to $6,000. The library was back up and running the same day, with a temporary piece of Plexiglas replacing the broken glass in the front door.
“I would hope that the police are probably patrolling the area a little more frequently,� Tiger said. “I don’t think people are fearful, but I think people are on guard.�
Since moving in to the library it has been policy that three people are in the building at all times, at least one employee and two volunteers.
“That turned out to be a good decision,� Tiger said.
Whether the shots fired were meant to be a warning to the library or not, the incident won’t affect the future of the new community institution, both trustees insisted,
“This is a symbolic act, one that is, to my knowledge, unparalleled,� Schneier said. “I just can’t believe that there is that kind of anger in our community.�
The case is currently under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, which was unable to provide further comment beyond a press release confirming the incident.
Library officials, along with Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, are asking that anyone with information call Sheriff’s Investigator Mark Dunspaugh at 518-828-3344. Additionally, anyone traveling in that area should report any suspicious vehicles or persons near the library.
