Interviews by Melissa Charles
with photos by Sara Bharrat
This week we asked the man/ woman on the street their opinion on the Sunday seawall lime, given the complaints from neighbouring
communities about the loud noise associated with it.
Michael Alleyne, private sector employee:
‘Well you have to consider both parties involved in this: those persons who are looking for somewhere to relax and are desperate for activity and don’t have much to do, then there are the nearby residents who will be affected and you must consider them in relation to the noise factor. The thing is I believe that it has become excessive now. With the traffic issue, I would have thought it would be worse, but then I don’t go often so I don’t really know what it’s like.’
Joel Semple, taxi driver:
‘I go to the seawall though not often. I think it should remain the same way, just that the music should be kept at a certain level. But you can’t stop people; there will be a crowd no matter what you do.
It’s like a tourist attraction out there and the crowds of people who don’t really have anywhere else to go will be there. And the atmosphere is a relaxing one to let off the week of stress.’
Andrew Headley, mason:
‘Well based on the complaints made action has to be taken. I am sure that the loud music can be avoided. I have never gone to the seawall during one of these events but I have heard of what goes on out there. However, while people want recreation that cannot happen at the expense of other persons’ peace of mind.’
Cleroy Beckles, student:
‘I go to seawall but definitely not on Sundays; I do not believe the atmosphere is for schoolchildren. I won’t encourage my friends to go either, although I know some of them do. The amount of drinking and vulgarity that goes on out there is not healthy at all. People get violent and all sorts of things happen; what hasn’t happened yet will happen soon and the thing is a lot of school-age children are involved in this thing.’
Merlin Mangal, security officer:
‘The whole idea of the lime is good, people need somewhere to go. What I think is there should be more security in terms of active, vigilant policemen. The last time I was there, they played steel pan music; it was nice. It’s a nice way to spend an otherwise drowsy Sunday evening, with the good entertainment it offers.’
Michon Sukhoo-Pertab, medical student:
‘I used to come out here with my family every Sunday night, but we were forced to stop. You just couldn’t come any more. I think the lime got out of hand; it’s not an event where you can come and chill out, and take a breather. And it’s definitely not family oriented any more. A host of young people, drinking, fights, the morality is all gone.
It’s come to a point where it must be uncomfortable for the people living nearby.
And you’re dealing with two different classes of people; those persons out there don’t mind the music and alcohol, and even though the people nearby may have soundproof homes the racket out there will get to them. I think they should take away the music and give them a time limit. I mean these people are out there into the wee hours of the morning.’
Sunita, private sector employee:
‘Well I do come to seawall on Sundays sometimes, but early in the evenings and then I leave. When you drive by in the nights you wonder what’s going on out there, the people and the noise. I don’t like it at all especially the amount of alcohol that is consumed. It has changed drastically over the months; decent people just can’t go there.’
Angelo Sanchez, student:
‘I work and study so I don’t really have time to go to the seawall on Sunday, especially since Sunday is the only day off that I get. To go there with all the noise is not my thing. Maybe if it were quieter I would have gone. I don’t really pay much
attention to the big affair out there, but what I do know is that on Mondays the seawall is awful with the trash all over.’
Sharon Rampersaud, private
sector-employee:
‘I think people don’t have anything much to do and so the lime started, but it has become ridiculous now. You can’t go there to relax and have a conversation; it’s not family oriented any more.
It’s moved to a different stage − a party. In my opinion there are places to go when you want to party. We went to the seawalls the other night and this busload pulled up, looked like they came from the creek. If you saw the dancing and lawless behaviour − just disgusting.
The next thing is the condition they leave the place in the next day. It’s our country, why do you have to treat it so? Put your garbage in bags, use the bins. Then they would throw the bottles over the walls when they get drunk; you can’t even consider swimming in there when the water is high. ’
Jennifer Pertab, housewife:
‘I haven’t been out there on Sundays for a long time, too much confusion with the huge crowds. We had to move up to the bandstand when we take out the family. It’s a matter of choice I think though; some people like it some do not − it is definitely not for family any more though.
My contention is the state they leave the seawall in. I go there to exercise every afternoon and now you have to watch your step because of broken bottles everywhere.’
