So, who's to blame for the computer thefts at the Metro Election Office?

Watch: Word On The Street (1/2/08)

Well don't put the blame on Metro Election Administrator Ray Barrett, who heads the office. There's enough blame to go around Metro, but Barrett refused to point a finger.

But, I've learned that the major issue is security and the lack of it at the fairly new Metro office building in south Nashville.

Before the county's election office moved into the new building, it was located next door in the old Howard Office Building.

In the former election office, there was a sensor-alarm system, locked doors and security guards guarded the building. There were no break-ins.

In the new election office, there is no security, no sensor-alarm system, no security cameras, a questionable security guard system and not even a front door to enter the office.

So, what's the excuse? Apparently, the lack of Metro funds.

The private guard service assigned to the new building is Specialized Security Consultants out of Wilson County.

Once I identified myself in a phone call, the person who answered the phone hung up.

But Wackenhut Corporation of Nashville, who has the Metro security contract for all buildings, assigned that and several other jobs to the Wilson County security company.

One of the stranger things about the break-in is that the guards are at the Metro building around the clock on weekdays, but only 12 hours on weekends.

So, when do they believe would be the best time to pull off a break-in?

Who's responsible for the burglary?

I'm told it was probably kids who took the two laptop computers. Also stolen were several radios, CDs, a small desk heater, digital camera and an office cell phone.

A little Metro security would have stopped that.