If asked what I got for Christmas, I can easily and frankly respond—a huge headache, a near nervous breakdown and a weakened heart (from violently pounding in protest of the booming bass trying to mash up my house), all courtesy my noisy neighbours who now have me literally surrounded and outnumbered, not to mention disoriented, despondent, tormented, disillusioned and immensely furious.
All it took was for the usual offender to start. He was soon joined, but convincingly overpowered, by another who placed speaker boxes on the roof of his vehicle from which he blasted some Indian, then Hip Hop music. The cacophony of this musical melee was unbearable, slightly lessened when opponent no. 1 thankfully dropped out. Another set of noise-makers jumped in on Boxing Day, outdoing both previous contenders with a mixture of Hip Hop, Reggae and Soca. They had heralded in Christmas Day with a disrespectful, inappropriate blast of smut from their vehicle.
No house parang band stood a chance. They would have had to come armed with earmuffs and huge amplifiers to penetrate that din. One would not have heard the “Abre la puerta” cue to open the door in the first place. They would have had to use cellphones or the doorbell to indicate that they were outside, thus spoiling the surprise element; but alas, the noise would have nullified any such attempt.
The Commissioner of Police has assured us that the police will respond to noise distress calls. He would have to assign a huge contingent of officers, judging from my street alone, and it’s a short street at that!
I have joined many others in repeatedly complaining about this issue which, instead of getting better, is deteriorating by the minute. Obviously the message that “disturbing the peace is against the law and carries a fine” is not getting out there and needs to be more effectively and aggressively disseminated.
Authorities, please work more assiduously at controlling this scourge and driving home to offenders the fact that we can and must now enjoy our choice of music within moderation and without invading each other’s personal and shared living spaces.
Put the message on utility bills (these get into every home), on flyers, place ads before and after the news for an extended period and during prime time television, organise house-to-house visits by noise control officers, mobilise a noise patrol unit. Ban that mobile noise menace too. Don’t make sufferers responsible for dealing with this lawlessness interpreted as fun.
Those of us negatively affected by loud music and noise devices are not looking forward to the New Year ringing-in celebrations nor the Carnival, judging from this Christmas/Boxing Day nightmare.
J McPherson,
Arima