Noise pollution in Saint Lucia is becoming a concern for many who are speaking out against what seems to be the norm now – the constant blaring of loud music from bars, places of entertainment, vehicles and even private homes.
One resident of Rodney Bay, where several people have been voicing their distress, described the situation as very annoying.
“On weekends in particular, it is very difficult to get a good night’s rest as we can hear the music throughout the house,” she said.
“I mean it has become extremely unbearable,” the resident who wished to remain anonymous added.
A couple from the island’s south told St. Lucia Times that the problem is all over and not limited to the north.
“There is a bar near where we live and on weekend’s we have no peace. Even police come there, so it is like it is no use making a report,” they lamented.
According to Medical News Today, research suggests that noise pollution can raise stress, affect mental health, and contribute to developing health issues such as high blood pressure and even hearing impairment.
Last October, Rodney Bay residents had enough and took their concerns to the Government and Gros Islet MP Kenson Casimir.
After several meetings, Casimir informed the media that the Government, through the Attorney General’s Chambers, was looking to strengthen noise pollution legislation.
He observed that the only way to address noise pollution was to have an objectively measurable decibel level.
The revised laws of Saint Lucia 2021 regarding amplified music states: A person who, without reasonable excuse, proof of which lies on him or her
in any public place
in or in connection with any business or other place to which the public is admitted
in any premises or
in any vehicle, by operating or allowing to be operated any musical instrument, speaker or amplifier, causes or allows to be made any loud and continuous sound or noise is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1000 or to imprisonment for 6 months.
However, the law does not address how “loudness” would be measured.
Nevertheless, Inspector Zachary Hippolyte of the Community Relations Branch of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) contends while the act does not speak to a specific measurement, the law as it stands, can be applied.
“It can hold up in court as long as you have people who are saying that the music is disturbing them. The court will then make that determination based on the person’s statement,” Hippolyte said.
“So a lot of people have brought this issue up about we don’t have a decibel reader, but you don’t need a DB reader if someone is saying I cannot sleep, I am annoyed, I cannot rest,” he emphasized.
“People have to understand and police officers also, that it is not our jobs to be the judge and jury, our job is to investigate if there is a complaint and to act on it. It is then left to the courts to decide if there is enough weight to the complaint to convict someone,” he said.
Hippolyte agrees that noise pollution is increasing and has recently become a nuisance.
“One of the challenges for us however is that while the law gives us the right to confiscate the equipment causing the disturbance, the issue arises as to where do we store the equipment which often costs tens of thousands of dollars, which has to be returned after the individual is made to pay a fine. The equipment would have to be stored safely so that there is no damage and these are things that also take up a lot of space,” he noted.
Regarding sounds from moving vehicles, the inspector noted the difficulty of pinning down the driver.
Hippolyte believes the police have been doing their best to curb the noise pollution problem.
However, he explained that places of entertainment are peculiar since they can play music until 2 am.
“Before that time it is very difficult to tell someone who has a permit, that their music is too loud. But there are cases where the officers are able to speak to individuals to ask them to lower the music if there is a complaint and they would comply. But other than that, as long as the place is not enclosed it becomes very difficult,” Hipployte noted.
During a recent pre-cabinet press briefing, Gros Islet MP Kenson Casimir gave an update on the promised legislation.
“My information is that by the next sitting of parliament we should have something on the table for discussion for every single individual to opine on and make amendments, if they want to but in terms of the legislation, I think most of it is complete so the next siting of parliament, will be around the time you will get that information,” Casimir told reporters.
While Saint Lucia seems to be fast becoming an entertainment hub of the Eastern Caribbean, updated legislation to address noise pollution will speak volumes.
Oh this is what you want to address? People enjoying themselves with music. Rather than… I don’t know… people shooting each other. Glad to see you’ve got your priorities in order…
Goovedmuh bom caca. This prime minister is really a waste. Health care needs attention, uh yeh, crime needs attention, uh yeh, schools need attention, uh yeh but is after music you want to go. Awa ee. The man needs a psychological evaluation
Mweh mem August 31, 2024 At 12:20 pm
Next door to me is a doctor who works in the Emergency Room at OKEU. A few feet across us a shop opened up. They blast music every night. We can’t sleep. No one rests well. Would you be happy to have a sleep deprived emergency room doctor attending to you or your relatives in a life or death situation? A situation that requires maximum focus and millimeters determine life or death?
Individuals making noise , 1000. Business making noise 5000. We in st Lucia must learn to respect other people space. U want dancehall? Fine. Go get a soundproof building like is the case with proper countries. U live around thousands of people, including bars in these countries, the most noise u will ever hear is from vehicles.
Askingforafriend… buy earplugs.
A society is a unit in which every aspect of its function depends on other aspects of its function creating a greater coherent and functional whole..( My definition).
That said, if a sub set of society are affected by noise – which in truth can be a nuisance one must admit – then it is imperitive that the situation be dealt with. Persons cannot just blast their music at the inconvenience of others. How load must your music be for your own personal enjoyment? What about the neighbour next door who probably had a terrible day at work and just want some peace and quiet to rejuvenate and face another day doing their societal duties? Noise pollution is a serious thing on the island and it has been so for a long time where people blast music anywhere, anytime, anyday. And because of the impunity at which it is done, the government must intervene to prevent harm to the wider community. We must as a society care for each other. No one is saying people cannot enjoy their music, but it must be done with consideration and with others in mind. These are the issues we have to deal with as a growing democracy and until we consider the unit is as much a part of the greater whole then we are only instigating our own self destruction as a society.
There is never any need to play music so loud as to disturb others, yes some people use music to enjoy themselves, nothing wrong with that, the problem is the volume. Music being played at a bar or some other establishment should not be heard outside the premises, after all it is intended for the patrons. Few things in life are more disturbing than being in your home and you cannot hear your TV, radio, phone,, and constantly having to raise your voice to be heard. Also the type of music with its crude vulgar lyrics that mainly belittles women and focus on two parts of the female anatomy. It really is not a good experience when one is trying to sleep and can’t because of some inconsiderate individual.
Step in the right direction. We could have avoided half of these issues if we didnt allow it to become a norm for vehicles to drive around with speakers on their roofs
There’s loud and then there’s so loud you’re harming others. People can enjoy themselves without the music being so loud it’s shaking their neighbors windows. A balance can be made. A legal decibel limit makes sense and there are free apps to measure so it is easy to enforce.
“Music being played at a bar or some other establishment should not be heard outside the premises, after all it is intended for the patrons.”
And that is how it is done in civilised countries. Unfortunately St. Lucia is a jungle masquerading as a country filled with savages with no regard for others or respect for rule of law. Take a walk in front any club or bar in NYC. The only way you hear the music is if someone opens the doors while you pass by. In this jungle everyone thinks everyone else should be forced to listen to their music. Only savages behave in that manner.
@Good neighbour
These character who drive around with music blasting from their vehicles are sad little children. They were deprived of parental love and attention while growing up and are desperately seeking it in adulthood. The loud music draws attention to them. Empty vessels and noise they say. I’ve heard someone call them ALFA males. A-holes Looking For Attention.
As long as there is music there will and must be NOISE..and it also keeps evil souls awake..If it’s too loud, then you Move.. Music soothe the good sou..
… and it’s the crap that is referred to as music. Play that garbage for you and your family.