Barelas Senior Center vandalized

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The manager at the Barelas Senior Center near downtown said someone broke into the facility Friday morning and vandalized the place.

“Fire extinguishers sprayed around; just a mess,” said Manager Linda Jackson.  "Nothing was stolen.  It’s just a mess."

The vandal or vandals were able to get in through a skylight.  The mess left behind forced the city to make a tough decision and close the center Friday so crews could get in to clean it all up.

“We don’t want to expose anybody to breathing those little tiny particles,” Jackson said.

On a typical Friday Jackson said they may see as many as 300 seniors at the center taking advantage not only of the meals but also the much-loved afternoon dance, which had to be canceled.

Despite the closure, seniors did not miss out on services, but it was an inconvenience.

“Many of the other senior citizens know that we were closed, so they spread the word, and they found that they could go to the other centers for their lunch,” said Jackson.

According to Jackson the building has a security systme, so as soon as the skylight was breached the alarm sounded and police were there quickly.

However, whoever was responsible for the destruction was able to get away at least for now.

Jackson said there are security cameras that were on during the break-in.

The Barelas Senior Center will be back open on Monday.