Dear Editor,

If I may borrow  a term from the Arab Spring media it’s that of “Celebratory Noises” which is a common practice of  shooting  live ammunition into the air as seen in Cairo  and Libya last year. In Guyana we seem to have copied that form except we use fire crackers and squibs to celebrate most of the religious festivities viz, Diwali and Xmas.

It was mayhem in the Parks (Nandy, Republic and Continental) on Xmas Eve and especially Old Year’s Night when some uncaring residents unleashed these prohibitive weapons on the elderly, sick, and four legged animals. The decibel level was unbearable also to the healthy residents as the noises came from all directions with a variety of sounds that gave me the impression it was a competition between the ‘Untouchables” as they demonstrated no fear of prosecution.

Though these “bombs” are prohibited for importation our Customs and Police authorities are not effective in enforcing the law. About a year ago a house was destroyed in East Berbice and persons have suffered injuries from these dangerous practices which also compromise police security with the similarity of some of the noises to live ammunition.

In 2012, I am appealing to neighbours wherever you may live to respect each other’s privacy.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)