Dear Editor,
I live at 142 Block 2 Adelphi East Canje. On December, 26th 2007 there was very loud music (vibrating sounds) about 20 yards away from where I live. My family and I were very disturbed. It was 8.00pm when I called the police at Reliance Police Station for assistance. This call was followed by two more calls and three calls to Central Police Station. The police at Reliance said they’ll check it out and Central said the patrol ranks were informed. All these calls were made from 8.00pm to 9.40pm, with no help from the police. The music continued very loudly.
Sir, on the night of 31st, Dec 2007 and 1st Jan 2008 loud music continued, this time one in front of me and another behind. I called Reliance at 10:45pm. Someone answered and said they’ll send someone to check it out. I was sceptical, so I rode to this station when I saw an officer lying on a bench. It was 11:00pm. I told him what happened, and he made a call after which he informed me the patrol had gone to look after a robbery and when they returned they’ll check it out. They never did. I called Central police station at 11:30pm and someone answered and said they’ll inform the patrols. This also proved a waste of time. My son woke up 1.00 am only to complain to me that he had a terrible headache and cannot sleep. Where are the police? No wonder crime cannot be arrested.
It’s not the first time I’ve called the police for loud music, but most times they never respond. The community police are doing better than the police, but they need the support of the police.
I wish to ask, the following questions:
1. The Minister said “loud music will not be tolerated”, but his officers are doing otherwise.
2. Is this what the taxpayers money is being spent for to pay the police who heed not the call of citizens?
3. Why should a pass be issued to play loud music in a residential area be it for a wedding or party when people are affected by this?
4. When will the police start protecting the rights of people?
5. Is it fair for someone to “blare” music for his enjoyment and show no sympathy to those who don’t like it – the babies, the sick, the old, students studying etc? Why won’t they put the boxes in their houses? The police should start seizing the boxes and arresting.
6. Why change the laws when we cannot implement them? Let us stop changing the laws and implement effectively what we have.
7. It’s a waste of time to have a notice on the government channel that the gov’t is dealing with noise nuisances.
Many people told me they’re affected by loud music, but they are afraid to come out and talk. Loud music should be confined to an enclosed hall in which the sound will not bother anyone. I also read in the newspaper that at an exhibition the music was too loud for residents to bear. The Minister needs to deal with this matter from its roots.
Yours faithfully,
Rafi Khan Chhaidan
