Stories by Kalain Hosein
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Police Service have heard the cries for relief from noise pollution.
Both organisations met on Wednesday to strike a balance between the conflicting needs for entertainment and the growing scourge of noise pollution.
The TTPS and EMA discussed the existing laws to combat noise pollution and their current efforts and the EMA’s capacity building and field training of TTPS officers in using Noise Meters. The EMA also discussed the TTPS’ role and responsibilities in controlling noise pollution in T&T.
Both entities, according to an EMA media release, “have committed to strengthening capacities through training, establishing points of contact for effective response to complaints and nuisance events, and enhancing the collaborative partnership.”
The TTPS team was led by acting Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations) Joanne Archie. The EMA team was led by chairman Nadra Nathai-Gyan and Managing Director Hayden Romano.
EMA’s current noise pollution rules
Suppose a noisy event is reported to the EMA or the TTPS. In that case, the EMA’s Environmental Patrol Unit will have to be on-site at the event monitoring the decibel levels for 30 minutes, which is required by law. According to the EMA, if recorded sound exceeds prescribed noise levels, they can issue a Noise Variation to the event organisers following the Environmental Management Act Chap. 35:05.
But can they or the TTPS shut down an event? Not exactly.
According to the EMA, the power of the EMA and the TTPS to shut down events has not been formalised in law. The EMA is currently embroiled in a legal battle against Wild Goose Limited before the Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago to settle the law and determine when its power should be exercised.
How do you report noise complaints?
According to the EMA, you should formally report noise nuisances to the Police Service and the EMA at complaints@ema.co.tt or 226-4EMA Ext. 2. This will assist the EMA in developing a database on noise nuisances in T&T and alert the TTPS to act within its remit under the Summary Offences Act Chap. 11:02.
The EMA maintains that an all-of-society approach is required to fight the scourge of noise pollution and thus appeals to fete-promoters, event organisers, bar-owners, and the general public to be responsible civic-minded, and cognizant of the damaging effects of noise pollution.
