Noise makers just won’t stop; residents back against the wall
BVI News Staff - Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Complaints about noise makers that converge in the vicinity of Ceto’s restaurant, screeching scooters blasting loud music zooming through Road Town, and drag racers carrying out practice sessions on Waterfront Drive were some of the noise pollutants highlighted to Acting Commissioner of Police David Morris at a public meeting on May 1.
The meeting that was organized by the Road Town Anti-Crime Group (RTACG) at the St. George’s Church Hall saw a few persons commenting on the noise pollution situations in the territory and their options to make perpetrators stop.
One business owner explained that during the course of the last three consecutive weekends they have had to call the police to deal with noise from the area of Ceto’s. The resident expressed the frustration of having constantly to make the same complaint to the police while stating that she was sure it will happen again this coming weekend.
Other residents concurred with the complaint and pointed out that the noise was not coming from the establishment, but rather from an alleged group of men who converge next to the business with loud speakers on top of their vehicles on full blast.
It was announced that these men carry out their noisy actions on Friday, Saturdays and even Sunday nights, but when the police turned up they lowered their music.
In the meantime, Commissioner Morris has promised to take a look at the noise polluters identified.
In responding to the comments and questions on the issue of noise pollution, he explained that the problem is a quality of life issue, but said that he will look into it: “We can certainly handle it, but what I am asking you is do you want us to handle it in a confrontational manner or would you rather deal with it as a community? Because the people who are making the noise or are facilitating the noise are from the community…. So do you want the police to step in the middle between yourself or is it an opportunity for community groups like this to discuss and come up with some consensus way of dealing with these issues without having to take people to court for matter that could have actually be dealt with through mediation and discussion?”
“I’ll look into that, but one of the issues here in the territory is noise, and at the end of the day it’s up to the community, because yes, I’ll go along we will take this up and we will arrest people and we will take people to court but there is also the other side of this, the enforcement… At the end of the day it is about living together in harmony and it is about businesses,” the commissioner said.
RTACG member Eugenia O’Neal said she is one of the persons who faces the noise issue.
“I have had some support from the police in that they have come, but the problem reoccurs, and I got in touch with the proprietor who threatened to take me to court and sue me because I am harassing him and preventing him from making money. What some people don’t seem to understand is that other countries deal with this and you have legislation. If you are starting up a night club, you have to have sound proofing, you can’t just park up anywhere and put up speakers … Other countries have rules, they have zoning, they have rules about night clubs, how they are supposed to operate, and our country doesn’t, and basically we are left on our own. I am told now that I will have to take this person to court or we would find ourselves in court. I have no protection from the government; the police comes and the next two weeks the problem happens again.”
Another resident explained that it took a police report, a petition and a court order to make a bar in her area refrain from playing loud music after 12 am.
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19 Comments
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Some of them are very over-bearing…… sometimes they jus do an willful act then they want to know y police teking up their bikes……
No one has mentioned the ‘go fast’ boats that race up and down the channel. They especially like to mill around W. End Sunday evening. Those boys need to put silencers on those engines! The windows are vibrating when they go by. And if you’re trying to talk to someone, forget about it antil they are long past.
I didn’t even know they use to make a lot of noise, 3house dead..batcave dead so
nobody don’t really lime round them sides no more. Unless I going to get money from a ATM I don’t even know people does still be there. If ayo complaining about the Guyanese making noise then la cab in violation too right?
i do agree with the watcher.preachers are very noisy and should respect other poeple belief
If the church have to make noise to bring in customers then they are no diferent than the Paraquita Bay Bar. God is a God of order not disorder.
make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord all ye lands….
Look on the back side of any traffic ticket and its clear under section “i”. And whats more the churchess need to be more respectfull and use the Sir Rupert Brycliff Hall and stop thier invassion of people’s homes and lives. No one need this blasting load speakers, screaming and yelling. Its dosn’t set a very good example to anyone. And we will kill our tourisum if we continue to allow it to go on unchecked, churhes, bars or cars. We use to be a place that took pride its quiet peacefull life style.
The way to do it is – You put up signs where loud music isnt allowed and inbetween you place police officers. All of road town and resindential areas should have such signs in place. We are not against people playing their music but if you have to blast your music do it in a way that doesn’t bother others. While you may want to listen to your blasted music others don’t. Again – if it blasted music you want to listen go ahead and do it but use your ipod or rollup your window. This it for everyone Tolians and none Tolians.
The lady is right – loud music day or night is a nuisance and it has to stop – If you want to listen to loud music get your self an ipod or rollup your window then you can blast your stupid music until you go deaf. Why do others have to listen your nuisance keep it to your self. Believe me it will be a better world if you do. The police should give out ticket to those that ar cought blasting their music.
I don’t think anyone beat the spanish bar at Paraquita Bay. There don”t listen to anyone not even the POLICE there are listening to there are a total nuisance to the community. There are little children living around there and there have no regard to anyone Sunday to Sunday.There even expanding with out Town and Country knowing anything. A next thing not one of those girls working there have a work permit to work there.What is the Governent going to do! This isthe 7 district. The place is also a rat strap.
Big noise from some preachers/singers at 5am today coming from festival grounds I think!! Arrest them too please.
Atleast they are praising OUR LORD U too out of place
dem confounded Guya(youknowwhat) playin dem shanayingyangwanaohwoah music so loud! By all means listen to ur type of music but respect the public man. Y we got to be callin police all da time for dem, like dem does say “yuh hard earsss”. Now if dem was dishin out free curry roti or “All Curry Everythang” i’d say patience cause ill be first in line payin my $8 for a boneless curry roti that gon come wid bones anyway. But we all know they gon buy out da ching chong dem “chikin fry rie!” and 4 or 5 guinness den go home and beat up dem wife, if dem make it home at all cause we ALL know from experience dem can’t drive worth a shit! #my2chunksofcurrygoat
WTF?!?
You are a comedian.
You sound like a prime ‘Claut. An unfunny one, too. I should tell them same “guynee” man to wrap Yo skunt up in a tarp and pour curry on you and mek you a “spineless” roti.
why are you asking nonsense? The fact that the noise persists makes it obvious the police needs to start doing their job by arresting persons who are being repeatedly being reported for the incidents. Why are you asking us what to do? The consensus is that drastic measures must be taken because it is obvious diplomacy and warnings cannot suffice. Look what happens when Ms O’Neal tries to settle the situation outside the police report?
someone enlightening me. isnt noise pollution an offense? so why are the police not taking the necessary action especially with repeat offenders?
In response to your question it seems from a similar article run in a different newssite that the BVI does not have a noise ordinance legislation in place. It seems the best that can be hoped for in the present day, is to limit the number of club licenses and thus reduce the number of establishments playing loud music past midnight. Since the police do not have any legislation to back them they cannot do anymore than ask of the owners of businesses playing loud music to turn it down. The same goes for the boys riding loud scooters around our homes at all hours of the night, or those starting work in the wee morning hours with loud machinery or tools. Realistically it is not fair to the many who suffer from one type of noise to the other. We should all be able to live in harmony and respect one another, however, it does not seem to be the case.
This is just another area of importance where the concerned public must make their opinions known to our legislators that we require the proper laws in place to protect our personal rights. To remain quiet on the issue (no pun intended) is to silently approve poor behavior and ignorance by others who want to do as they please without any concern of their neighbors, community or country.
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