RESIDENTS IN MANY communities in the island are still having their peace and quiet disturbed by loud noises.
A Manchester resident is asking whether the law only applies to noises made during the night.
"I live in Manchester but my house is near to a bar and restaurant and during the days loud music is heard coming from the shop and at times the noise continues until late at nights," the resident said.
"Last week Sunday just after I came home from church near 1:00 p.m. the loud music started and continued until beyond midnight. I could not sleep for the entire time that the music was being played.
"There are times even during the days when the owner of the business plays the music on a daily basis and it is also severely affecting other residents who live nearby. We are helpless in the situation," he added.
The Noise Abatement Act was passed to prevent loud noises and applies to noises made at night or day. It is the duty of the police when complaints are made to them to warn the offenders to desist from breaking the law. Offenders can be prosecuted for breaking the law and the punishment attracts a fine or imprisonment. The court can also order the forfeiture of the equipment used in the commission of the offence.
The next time you are being disturbed by the loud music you should telephone the police station in your area and report the disturbance.
Section 3 of the Noise Abatement Act states that "No person shall on any private premises or in any public place at any time of day or night , sing, or sound or play upon any musical or noisy instrument; or operate or permit or cause to be operated, any loudspeaker, microphone or any other device for the amplification of sound, in such a manner that the sound is audible beyond a distance of one hundred metres from the source of such sound."
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to 
