Since 2006 I've been collecting letters and articles complaining about noise and its effects. I have not written before since the topic has continuously been kept alive by others. But now the level of noise has reached unprecedented and unbearable levels with the toothless, useless authorities (police, EMA, courts, politicians) making only token noise in response so I feel compelled to write.
Here are samples from my collection. Each includes the headline and a snippet from the article/letter: Sleepless in South Oropouche: Which government official can we call at 3 am when a car blaring Indian music or dancehall music drives down the main road and wakes you up?
Sleepless in St James: There is no respect for people in this country anymore...I want to know who in authority believes in giving another bar license in St James? Please establish anti-noise hotline: Advertise and implement a noise-distress hotline which will cause an anti-noise crew to be immediately mobilised, thus bringing swift relief to sufferers.
Noise pollution in Pasea: For years now we have been subjected to ridiculous levels of noise in the form of loud music played at any time of the day and night by a DJ who lives in the village. Victory jam disrupts class: Our classes were completely shut down by the noisy playing of sponsored, amplified, DJ music on a "big" truck which parked close to a nearby bar...The police said the sponsor had paid $10,000 to stage the "session."
Loud music in maxis, cars shaking up neighbourhood: Could the Minister of National Security include, in his new crime plan, eradication of the loud music which is being played in maxi-taxis and private cars which is shaking our neighbourhood?
Help us to get rid of this menace:...You can't watch your television, read a book, study or even eat. You cannot speak to your spouse in the same room of your own house without yelling...Then, there are the bars, with huge speakers facing poor, demoralised people, people without a choice but to take it.
Hodge: noise pollution breeds environment of lawlessness: Serious action needs to be taken to address noise pollution in this country as it contributed to traffic accidents, hearing impairment, sleeplessness therefore affecting productivity at the workplace, irritability, conflict between neighbours, even murder.
Keep a lid on the loud noise: Noise pollution can cause aggression, hypertension, stress, hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, mental health issues, impaired task performance, learning problems, and negative social behaviour...Persistent, unregulated noise is a major health hazard, not just a minor nuisance.
Politicians talk about T&T becoming a developed country. But what kind of uncivilised, sick society are we living in that citizens and animals can be subjected to such harsh, cruel and unusual punishment without any hope of redress from the authorities? We would have reached developed country status when we call the police for noise and they respond, and not just to tell us to call the EMA who will tell us to call the police!
While I do not wish to deny some the dubious pleasure of damaging their eardrums, ordinary folks must be able to enjoy peace and quiet in their homes. I advocate an instant ticket system for noise-makers, with fines ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000 (bar owner, neighbour to mega event), after a single warning. This should deter those who turn down the noise when the authorities put in a rare appearance, and turn it up after they leave.
I call on the authorities to take decisive action now. We cannot continue to allow a small percentage of our citizens to hold the majority to ransom.