Sheriff’s Call for Library Content Review Sparks Debate
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris has written an opinion piece in a local newspaper, addressing concerns about explicit content in the library’s under-18 section. He acknowledges the controversy and misinformation surrounding the issue, with tensions even leading to arrests and violence at library board meetings. As a father and someone responsible for maintaining peace in the county, Sheriff Norris personally visited the library and reviewed a book called “Deal With It.” He found explicit and detailed descriptions of sexual conduct, which violates Idaho Statute 18-1515, defining material harmful to minors under 17. He advocated for a bill that restricts sexually explicit material, in line with the statute, to adults aged 18 and older. This measure wouldn’t ban specific books but regulate access to them. Sheriff Norris urged library boards, directors, and librarians to meticulously review and classify materials, ensuring compliance with Idaho’s laws. He stressed that safeguarding youth is a shared community responsibility, extending beyond law enforcement to educational and cultural institutions. Sheriff Norris’s plea raises questions about the balance between free expression and protecting minors, igniting a local debate on the issue.
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