Bothell police are currently investigating two reported incidents of voyeurism that occurred at the King County Library’s Bothell branch.

The incidents occurred on April 2 and April 4, between the hours of 7-8 p.m.

“I have been doing this for 23 years and to have someone go back to the same location and be confronted both times, that is pretty bold,” said Bothell Police Sgt. Ken Seuberlich.

In both cases, library staff and witnesses saw a male suspect entering the women’s restroom and taking significant steps to view and/or record females using the toilets.

“I have a 9 year old and it does change my opinion,” said Bothell resident and library patron Gina Lockhart. “I wish we could feel safe leaving my child in another area and working the computer but I don’t. People are creeps.”

Witnesses describe the male suspect as having a dark complexion and possibly being of Asian or Hispanic descent, between 25 and 35 years old, 5 foot 6 inches to 6 feet in height and with medium build.

“To have someone do this within the same time frame in the same location, odds are it is the same person,” said Seuberlich. “We have been in contact with both witnesses and there was not enough information to provide a sketch of the person.”

Citizens who come into contact with the above described individual and others engaged in similar behavior are asked to call 911.

“”Whenever these sorts of things come up we contact the police,” said King County Library spokesperson Julie Brand. “We have a very close working relationship with the Bothell Police Department.”

Seuberlich said that the police department has had close contact with the library and have given staff tips on what measures can be taken to prevent incidents.

“The libraries are public buildings and we have people from all walks of life coming through our doors,” said Brand. “People need to be aware of their surroundings.”

Adults who frequent the library with children are encouraged to accompany the children to the restroom. Citizens using the restroom facility should be conscious of individuals who may be hiding in bathroom stalls or not engaged in normal bathroom behavior.

“Push on the stall doors, if they are locked and you don’t see feet under the door there might be trouble,” said Seuberlich. “If you have children keep them close. “Call us (911) if you see anything. Don’t just tell the librarian if you see anything and be aware of your surroundings.”

Any reports of unusual behavior, such as adults of the opposite sex entering the bathroom, should be reported to the police and staff.

Any information regarding similar incidents with the above described male suspect can be forwarded to the Bothell Police Tip Line at 425-487-5551.

“People want to be able to go to the library and know it is a safe place,” said Seuberlich.

Brand said that the KCLS has taken steps in an attempt to prevent such incidents at the Bothell branch such as moving the check out desk closer to the loby where the bathrooms are located and instructing employees to check the bathrooms routinely.

This is the third time in less than three years there has been a crime of a sexual nature at the Bothell library. In July 2010 a 54-year-old Everett man was caught using a mirror to peep under the stalls in the women’s restroom.

Bothell police reported that in October 2010 there were three separate incidents of a stranger fondling young girls at the library. All three victims were 7 years old.

The bathrooms are located in the library’s loby and some has mentioned installing cameras to monitor the area.

“We cannot install cameras as the libraries are public buildings,” said Brand. “We also need to protect the privacy of people and what they are checking out.”

We have 2 million people going through the King County Library System every year and these incidents are rare.”

There is also a single bathroom further inside the library.

Lockhart said that she feels the inside bathroom is safer because it is further from the door.

“I tell my children to use the solo bathroom,” said Lockhart. “I would fine with cameras in the lobby.”

Kenmore resident Chuck Prather, who was patronizing the Bothell library on Wednesday, said that he normally goes to the Kenmore library and that he did not think there was much that the library could change to avert the incidents.

“I worked in retail and it happens and it is hard to stop,” said Prather.