Agency for Public Information broken into, vandalised

Staff at the government-run Agency for Public Information (API), formerly Government Information Service (GIS), were in a state of shock when they turned up for work on Wednesday, October 13.{{more}}

They discovered that their workplace had been broken into and vandalized the night before.

The iconic painting of the Kingstown Harbour, which captures a view from Fort Charlotte, as depicted by Lennox ‘Dinks’ Johnson almost 20 years ago, left some members of staff traumatized to the point of tears, when they discovered that the painting had been ripped by the perpetrator(s).

The painting was a staple of the agency’s studio background,

“This is heartbreaking,” said a female worker upon the discovery of what was described as an injustice.

“Look at what they did to the man’s work. People don’t appreciate the art that this man has done. It’s years this is here.”

The damaged painting was just one of the surprises that greeted the agency’s 21 employees: doors were broken, tables and desks ransacked and video tapes as well as other items thrown on the floors.

API Director St. Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince, visibly annoyed by the discovery, said that the break-in could possibly cause some setback on the agency’s work load.

“It’s upsetting and frustrating. Our work is time sensitive, so anything like this may set us back,” said Prince.

“This is a time when we have a lot of work to do.”

Prince disclosed that a quantity of cash and equipment had been taken by the unwelcome guests, who gained entry after breaking through a burglar-barred window in the general office.

Incidentally, these bars were installed after the offices were broken into earlier this year.

At that time, several pieces of equipment were stolen.