Dear Editor,
We are in a dismal state considering that we don’t have systems in place to protect our basic rights. One of these I would categorize as ‘Peace.’ Every one of us should be able to live peacefully and restrictions or penalties should be imposed on those who disrupt the peace of others. Rules should be implemented for entrepreneurs such as grass cutters, some of who begin their noisy work at the break of dawn. This obviously causes the sleep of many to be shortened and most likely affects their health and performance for the rest of the day. Our economy and workforce cannot afford this.
Another noise nuisance is that of barking dogs, sometimes occurring although there is no apparent reason and continuing incessantly. In developed countries penalties are imposed on the owner, if this occurs. I don’t know how one is able to stop a dog from barking, but it remains a serious threat to peace. Maybe dogs which are obtained as pets should be kept indoors at nights or away from moving objects such as dogs and people. Dogs obtained for security seem to usually bark only if there is a threat to the premises and its occupants by an intruder or an animal. This leaves the relevant authority to ensure that animals are kept off the streets at night. That could be done by charging the owners if their animals are allowed to roam the streets at night and by ensuring that stray animals are taken off the streets at all times. Home and car alarms are more contributors to a noisy society. Loud music in vehicles which includes music carts is another. There is also loud music from homes, business places and all types of vendors or entrepreneurs.
Another blemish on the road to ‘A good life for all’ is the triviality with which serious crimes are treated. The perpetrators are given sentences not much harsher than those inflicted on someone for smoking or possessing marijuana. In many cases, the apparent perpetrator is freed owing to a reluctance of witnesses to step forward or testify at the trial. Sometimes the prosecution fails to present the appropriate evidence or any evidence at all to ensure a conviction. This is mind boggling. Are our prosecutors so poorly equipped or complacent? Legally, people should not be allowed to accept cash settlements in lieu of a case going to trial.
It is fine to sometimes think of the bigger picture and bypass the little things, but we need to start with the small details or we wouldn’t be able to build a solid foundation.
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
