Arrested for not returning a book

[Jazzy]

A man from Copperas Cove in central Texas has been arrested for not returning a book he checked out of a library more than three years ago, reports CBS affiliate KWTX.

According to the station, 19-year-old Jory Enck was booked into jail Wednesday for having overdue library materials and later released on a $200 bond.

Enck checked out a GED (graduate equivalency degree) study guide in 2010 and allegedly failed to respond to letters and phone calls from the library.

The station reports the city's library policy states a patron must have the overdue materials for over 90 days and not respond to calls and letters before authorities are notified.

The ordinance was adopted by the city almost four years ago.

Julie Lehmann, with the Copperas Cove Police Department, reportedly said if an officer routinely stops a person with an active warrant for overdue library material, they will make an arrest.

Police say the library will first try to sort out the issue in a civil process but if that doesn't work out, they will turn to authorities, according to the station.

Source

Do you think this policy is a little overboard?

Do you ever sign out books from the library?

Have you ever not returned a book?

 

[Tyler]

That's dumb how he got arrested for not returning a book.. Just make him pay for it.

 

[Raven]

Seriously? for a book? Now he has a criminal record? How pathetic!

I have had overdue books, and even lost books in the past (found them few years later) just paid a fine, or paid for the book.

 

[Jazzy]

Enck checked out a GED (graduate equivalency degree) study guide in 2010

I highly doubt a study guide from 2010 is current for 2013. I think he should have paid for the outdated book but to arrest him, is way overboard in my opinion. I have, in the past, signed out books from the library. Only once, did I forget to bring one back in time. I brought it back 4 days late and they charged me $2.00 late return fee.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Lol, why not just charge him for the book? This is a little extreme.

 

[Kirito]

0_o That's crazy, wayyy overboard. I wonder how big a fine he's gonna have to pay now.

 

[Evil Eye]

I wonder how big a fine he's gonna have to pay now.

At maybe a couple of cents per day over a period of three years... at least $10, probably more like $500