Toilet Paper Thefts Prompt Warning At City Library Branch

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York public libraries have launched a crackdown on thefts of toilet paper from public restrooms.

A poster recently appeared in a at the Morrisania branch of the NYPL in the Bronx recently. A photos of the poster published by DNAInfo showed a graphic of a cuffed pair of hands along with a stern warning.

"Stealing is punishable by law. If you are caught stealing bathroom tissue from dispenser, you will be barred permanently from all New York public libraries. Immediately after each person leaves the bathroom, it will be checked to see if dispenser was tampered with or if tissue is missing," the sign reads.

DNAInfo reported library officials the warning about a ban refers to a last-resort penalty that likely would not be used for toilet paper theft.

The sign went up three months ago, but was removed Friday following questions from DNAInfo, the publication reported.