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20ft OECS billboard vandalised!
According to reports, the billboard was destroyed by a man said to be mentally unstable on Wednesday evening, June 29, 2016.
Persons expressed their disappointment on social media over the billboard being destroyed with some persons saying they were looking to take photos of themselves with the billboard in the background to show they had travelled to the VI for the championships.
The matter has, however, raised a different issue- the issue of mentally unstable persons roaming freely on the streets, sometimes interfering with people and destroying property.
Some persons used social media to call on Government to tackle the issue of mentally unstable persons in the territory.
‘Shock, angered & disappointed
The incident was confirmed by President of the BVI Athletics Association, Mr Dean ‘The Sportsman’ Greenaway.
“I was shocked, angered and disappointed when I learned that ‘Eggy’ had ripped up the 20'x12' billboard promoting the 2nd OECS TracK and Field Championships, around 8:25 pm on Wednesday evening.”
According to Mr Greenaway, he immediately called the Police and informed them about what had happened as the perpetrator was walking eastward towards the stoplight with the banner still wrapped around his hand. He added it was shocking on Thursday morning to see the level of vandalism when 18 of the 20 feet of the poster had been ripped off.
“I called Police again referring to my previous call on Thursday night. My particulars were taken and I was advised that and officer will at least call. It's Friday morning and there has been no communication,” Mr Greenaway told this news site today, July 1, 2016.
Mr Greenaway, however, expressed appreciation to Kelvin Titley and his Jahphix team for reprinting and erecting the billboard on Thursday afternoon.
Vandalism a major concern
The BVIAA President used the opportunity to voice his concern about the prevalence of vandalism in the territory.
“Vandalism is a major concern I've always had. In preparation for the 2nd OECS Track and Field Championships, I'd been asked about putting up fliers and I registered my concerns as I've seen on previous occasions we have used that medium to promote competitions and they had been taken down.
“This is a common occurrence when persons have spent hundreds of dollars in promoting their events, vandals strike and remove or destroy their posters,” Mr Greenaway said.
More than 180 visiting athletes for 2nd OECS C/ships
The 2nd OECS Championships which, gets into action tomorrow July 2 and wraps up on Sunday July 3, 2016 has attracted more than 180 visiting athletes and officials, with well over 200 athletes expected to be in action.
The OECS Member countries participating are Grenada, St Vincent & The Grenadines, St Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and hosts VI.
Non OECS Members Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are also participating, with their athletes seeking to use the event to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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14 Responses to “20ft OECS billboard vandalised!”
A separate issue in the planning of Road Town is the size and use of billboards in general. Many cities have banned them because of their unsightly nature. I think these in general are too big. I also think the billboards going west next to the hospital is totally unnecessary. If one owner can do it to make money, imagine 10-15 owners with billboards to make money. It turns into a tacky, cheap mess. Please regulate size and use of any billboards or lose character of Road Town to advertising.