There has been much talk these days about the Noise Abatement Act and some residents are commending the police for taking steps to curtail night noise.

Dance promoters have voiced disapproval that they now have to end the dances at earlier hours.

But one St Andrew resident although happy that the police are closing the dances early, is calling on the police to take a more active role in assisting residents who are suffering from loud noises caused by other house-holders in their communities.

"The sound system operators and dance promoters must abide by the law because every citizen has a right to the quiet enjoyment of his or her premises," the resident said.

"People would not complain about the dances if the promoters had consideration for others, and would just turn down the volume of the music, but they feel that they must disturb everybody," she added.

Another resident said every-body has a right to make a living but it should not be at the dis-turbance of others. It makes no sense for dance promoters to complain that they are losing money because the police are shutting down the dances at specific times. They must learn to turn down the volume".

"In other countries people have to abide by the law and those keeping dances or parties have to turn down the volume of the music and end their activities within a certain time. So what is the difference in Jamaica?" the resident queried.

The Noise Abatement Act makes it abundantly clear 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 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 meters from the source of such sound". The law states further that the sound must not be capable of causing annoyance to persons in the vicinity.

Persons keeping dances and those playing music in their homes must ensure that the volume is turned down because they can be charged with violating the public peace, and a fine will be imposed if they are found guilty.