Dear Editor,
In a way, I am replying to three recent letters complaining about this deafening problem of noise nuisance, all published in SN under the following captions: ‘Noisy shows are affecting residents’ by Roshan Khan, ‘Let’s reclaim Guyana from the noise-makers’ by a resident affected by noise emanating from the fish shop in Drury Lane, and ‘The authorities should be safeguarding citizens’ right to quietness in their homes’ by Joyce Jonas. However, it was the opening sentence in Jonas’s letter that lent to the urgency of this response, which reads, ‘Once again I’m asking myself if anyone out there is actually listening to what the people are saying.’
On Friday, March 20, 2009, the Drury Lane fish shop went into top gear disrespecting the ordinary man, the law, the church hosting a lecture on the first five years in a child’s development and focusing on the importance of reading and God – so high was the music. So unbearable was the noise disrupting my plans to launch a book on two separate occasions and in two counties on the following day, that I reported the matter four times to the police: three times to Kitty Police Station and once to Impact leaving my full and correct name and my full and correct address. The reports were made between 12 midnight and 1.35 am; each report was handled with due courtesy but nothing came of the matter while I was awake and in deep fatigue, for I slumped into a stupor over my books just after 2 am.
My wife was alarmed over my identifying myself to the police contending it was a very hard place to be caught between the police and the criminals (they are criminals, breaking the law, are they not?). She couldn’t sleep for the remainder of the night indicating that the noise grew louder after each complaint.
Dear Editor, something is wrong, definitely wrong, that such abuse can continue for so long. Is anyone listening to these little noises we sufferers are making?
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)
these accusations are without merit. I’m a regular patron at the fish shop, and I made to understand that there is a orgampnised attempt by the residents to shut the business for reasons other than noise pollution. if this business closes, another owned by someone with connection and power will emerge. I must add that since the previous complaints and law suit their has been a significant reduction in the music volume. in the interest of fairness, I think the owners should use only small indoor speakers. the fish is good and the patrons will keep coming.
The business is in a residential area and should not have been there in the first place. The excuse that you give that someone else wants to run one there,is no excuse. If the law is being enforced,no one should be allowed to open a rum shop there.
would you have liked to live next door to the “fish shop?”
Pray tell, what is the other reason other than the noise? You seem to know a lot. sweetsohany
I maintain that noise nuisance is no longer an issue at the said fish shop. I gave the reason, but the moderator edited it. there is already an injunction against the said business, residents can seek further redress there.
I’m amazed that thus far vigilante groups have not yet sprung up that have taken justice into their own hands.
I was in Guyana on vacation I got arrested for doing just that and spend 72hrs in de pig pen.I did get some justice the noise stoped.
I cant understand the mentality of a person who would play music so loud even when they know it is disturbing people. That is sociopathic behaviour and sadly is endemic in this society.
Wat in this counrty ppl don’t complain about?
Correct spelling.
…. n e badi see rohee ?????????????????????????????,,,,, oh ! ah fuhget rohee busy settin up committees fuh duh he jab ,,,,,
an ah juss sehin wah de people aks meh fuh seh ! dah is all….
NOISE NUISANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TREATED TOO LIGHTLY IN THIS COUNTRY EVEN THOUGH IT CAN BE DEEMED AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.THE DISTURBING OF SOMEONES SLEEP CAN SERIOUSLY AFFECT THEIR HEALTH. EVERYONE HERE THINK IT IS OK TO PARTY AND MAKE NOISE WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEY CHOOSE AND ALL AND SUNDRY MUST ABIDE. THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE VICTIMS OF THEIR SELFISHNESS ARE NOT ENJOYING THEIR MUSIC AND EVEN CLAIM THAT THEIR VICTIMS DONT LIKE THEIR MUSIC BECAUSE THEY ARE FROM ONE ETHNIC GROUP OR THE OTHER OR FROM ONE CLASS OR THE OTHER.THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS IT CONTINUES WITH THE POLICE IN AGREEMENT, SINCE THEY ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH THE SAME FEELINGS.SAD TO SAY NOISE MAKING IS A BIG PART OF OUR CULTURE.
This business should first get approval from the sectoral agencies first thats the procedure before it can operate.
Zoning and land use clearance is important and no sectoral agency will ever permit such activities in a residential area,i’m talking from my experience at that level.
Many corrupt officers are approving these plans for business and the government should investigate these approval if there was any and put those involved before the court.
Forget zoning. Tha has been tried.One word here. Official corruption is at work.Or this would not have happened.
EVERYTIME I AM IN GUYANA I MUST GO TO THE FISH SHOP ITS THE PLACE TO BE
People should play their “music” for themselves and not for their neighbours. Those who support noise quickly toe the line in other countries.