‘Keep the noise down’ - Cops sound warning to event organisers

T he Jamaica Constabulary Force is warning organisers of entertainment events against using the extension of the cut-off time for parties and other activities as an excuse to raise sound levels.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, head of the Community Safety and Security Branch, noted that an event can be shut down if amplified sounds can be heard more than 100 metres from the venue and cause annoyance to persons in the vicinity.

Parliament recently approved a temporary amendment to the Noise Abatement Act to extend the shut-off time for events from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends and from midnight to 2 a.m. during the week. The measure will remain in place until January 31, 2020.

Powell said that "while there is an extension in time, there is no change in the distance that the sound should be audible, so if you are disturbing your neighbour, you will be shut down".

The police have the support of the national security minister, Dr Horace Chang. He said that with the cops encouraged to enforce public-order laws, it has become necessary to amend the law over the festive season. He said, however, that the police should not tolerate disturbance.