March 15, 2014

Dear Sir,

Can someone in authority please explain why food is banned from the lobby of a public building, specifically the Court building? I had cause to visit the Planning Department this week and decided to do so during my lunch time. Upon entering the lobby I was approached by the security personnel and questioned about my destination and the contents of a small bag in my position. It was searched and I explained that it was my lunch and I was just popping up to the Planning Department on the fifth floor.

The two security guards informed me that food wasn’t allowed in the building and that I had to leave the bag outside on the sidewalk until I concluded my business upstairs, or return at another time. I was absolutely astonished, and said “you’ve got to be kidding me”? They weren’t amused and said, “Sorry, that is the policy”. I asked to leave the bag downstairs in the lobby, and was refused!

First of all, whose bright idea was it to move non judicial departments like Planning to the Court/Police building? When plans were first announced for the new Dame Lois Browne Evans building, there was no mention of this.

Secondly, if it was decided to have other Government departments in this building, then why weren’t they moved to the bottom floor, and have the security screening only for persons intending to go into restricted areas, like the courts? I have no problem with the idea of banning food and/or electronic devices in the courts, but that wasn’t my intended destination. I haven’t had cause to visit the courts, but I would expect that there would be security at the doors to restrict entry of banned substances. If food is banned from entering this building, then why not The Government Administration Building on Parliament Street, and every other Government building? It makes no sense at all!

What was the intended purpose of moving the security screening from upstairs to the front entrance? It’s policies like this that frustrate and increase the hostility of average citizens! If we’re going to do things like this, then it has to be clearly and prominently advertised.

Lastly, it served no purpose to have me leave food out on the sidewalk, but a pocket knife that I had in my possession could be left with the security personnel.

DAVID WILLIAMS

Sandys