Dear Editor,
The residents of Sparta want the public to know of an intolerable issue that has been plaguing them for a number of years and which the authorities seem not to care about. A woman and her son of Middle Dam, Sparta have been a constant noise nuisance to the entire community for over fifteen years.
First, they play their music extremely loudly at any time of the day and night. Anytime really means anytime. For example 9:15 hrs, 13:00 hrs, 18:05 hrs, 21:00hrs, 23:10 hrs, 1:30 hrs, 2: 45 hrs, 4:25 hrs. It begins very loudly and suddenly, plays for fifteen minutes to half an hour, stops suddenly for a while then resumes in the same manner. The music is played solely to disturb residents.
The sudden noise can be heard in the entire village. Some people would have a difficult time obtaining a permit to play music for specific functions but it seems as if this mother and son have obtained a permanent permit for 24 hrs a day for seven days a week for the rest of their lives.
The sudden loud music would disturb residents from their sleep and give severe headaches to some. The perpetrators seem not to care for the lives of anyone. They do not care if their villagers are sick, have to get to work early the next day, have newborn babies, have to study for Grade 6 or CXC assessments, have lessons being conducted after school or on weekends, have a religious function or even a funeral. Can you imagine a funeral being conducted not far away and Soca music at its loudest? That is completely preposterous. Also, if there is a wedding in the area, they would compete with the music played by those who got a permit.
Furthermore, when public announcements are being made or religious groups are visiting residents, the music is always playing until the announcements and visitors have gone.
For the above reasons, there are numerous complaints at the Anna Regina Police Station dating back to many years. Statements were given by many different residents. For the last reports and statements given, residents were promised by the police that the perpetrators would be arrested and the residents would be called to court the following Tuesday. That was since October of last year. Can you imagine a police officer taking two hours to write a statement? We guess they want us to give up the case. The other thing they would do is ask you first “would you want to go to court?” as if to scare the residents off. When the music is being played, we have called the police but they have never reached to hear. The officers of the law have asked us to call when the perpetrators leave their homes which we did on many occasions but yet they were not apprehended. We know that noise nuisance is a serious crime so we cannot understand why the police are not doing anything about the issue.
The perpetrators were spoken to by many residents in a peaceful manner to desist but they still continue, saying the residents would provoke them first. It is important to note that when there is a ‘blackout’ in the area or when they are not playing the loud music, they would find other amazing ways of creating noise.
This situation has truly reached its climax and residents are beyond frustrated.
Maybe it’s a joke for the police at the Anna Regina police station and the councillors at the Anna Regina Town Council but innocent people are suffering.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
