The St. Lucia Auto Sound Club says it supports any move by the authorities to curb the problem of noise pollution, which has recently sparked much public discussion.
St. Lucia Times spoke with the Saint Lucia Auto Sound Club (SLASC) Public Relations Officer Valentine Dantes.
He explained that the club has existed for over ten years, and provides auto sound enthusiasts a sense of community.
However, the organisation also aims to bring some form of regulation to the sport.
“We exist to engage our members to learn the craft and understand how to do it safer and better, improve the quality of the sound and at the same time get members to abide by set rules and regulations,” Dantes said.
Last year, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports took on board the aspect of “alternative sports” with auto sound as one of the aspects, something the club is happy about.
“Universally car audio is a big thing and seen as a sport. In spite of all the regulations in first world countries there are still many car shows where these guys have systems that are ten times, twenty times more expensive than ours,” Dantes explained.
The SLASC stages three main events and competitions annually, the flagship being the independence event “Island Beat,” which attracts participants from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Dominica, and Barbados.
“This is a really good sports tourism initiative,” Dantes noted, adding, “We also stage “Sound Warz” in May and “Amplified” in October.”
The funds raised from these events go towards community initiatives, assisting members, and a food and toy drive.
“The biggest event that we have in terms of giving back is the food and toy drive in December. We purchase over ten thousand dollars in food and toys and work with individuals and groups in communities to distribute to those in need. And of course we provide our own sound,” Dantes remarked.
“Having said all of that we do believe that dealing with the issue of noise is a challenge,” he stated.
“We actually do not like it. Most people believe that because we have sound systems we are not regular human beings, but the truth is we don’t like when people pass by our homes after midnight playing loud music. So why should we do it?”
Club members who are violators are reprimanded, barred from subsequent competitions, and lose points, which would disqualify them from receiving awards during their end-of-year party and awards evening.
The SLASC has promised to continue to working with the police using their network to identify defaulters.
The club recently launched a “Be Considerate” campaign using PSAs and videos on social media to encourage people to, among other things, turn down their volume in residential areas.
PHOTO: Courtesy Saint Lucia Auto Sound Club.
These character who drive around with music blasting from their vehicles annoying the crap out of people 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.
It is about time police crack down on this loud music nonsense. This place is too lawless. This is dangerous for people’s health and has real negative consequences. Raise the fines and enforce the laws. Raise money for government coffers.
How interesting! The noise makers support some kind of regulation as to how much noise they can make!
I think there should be a time the music should not be blasting totally, its blasting all day and night these dsys. am sure this is happening because of the heavy present tourist buying houses in St lucia and they make out the majority of the complaints, we still have to bear in mind this is part of our culture, government cant be promoting events all year round because they can and then saying to the people no music for them.and for some people this is part of their livelihood and even mental health were we do not cater for, we need to get it right for everyone
Western was on on its way out after breaking so.many relationships and men and women abandoning their kids. Now it’s back in session in st Lucia. With the 60 year olds after all the havoc they did in their youth, ready for another go. We can barely afford food, crime sky high, but music blasting even more. Police officers not enforcing any rules
John John. Blasting music is not part of my culture. I don’t know what ghetto you come from but this wasn’t an issue where I came from. It is now. This music blasting is a symptom of a larger problem: the lawlessness of this jungle cosplaying as a country.
@ Anonymous September 4, 2024 At 5:50 am
IKR. Like people are idiots. They could start curbing their behaviour right now. No legislation needed.
I SUPPORT YOU ❗🙏
Keep up the great work auto sound club. Your charitable endeavours have touched thousands of st lucians but has received little exposure. The few unruly motorists who break the law cast a negative light on the sport but from my observations things have gotten better. I know the executive of the board chastise its members who are caught breaking the law and continue to push the “be considerate” campaign so kudos. Keep it up.
I am starting to think that sound men are low hanging fruits and every media house and person want to throw stones at them. How often are sound cars disturbing the peace??? Some people are just salty and miserable in their lives and refuse to see others having fun. Everyday there is a murder in St Lucia but no one speaks out against it, because we see nothing wrong in that. But you see a car pass with speakers you already calling police.
Stop fighting the upcoming generation miserable idiots
SMH
Well done SLASC! Thank you for actively speaking out against it and being part of the solution. Whilst i understand that we do have a noise pollution issue, I feel like it’s getting way too much attention than the other issues plaguing this country. All this uproar about noise pollution but nobody wants to write or comment about drunk driving (DUI), pedophilia, unlicensed motorcyclists without helmets, unemployment etc.
The ppl write a article about a club trying to help solve a problem and all ya beating your ignorant ass Like ya don’t know how to read. Why all ya eh coming out in droves for the noise the motorcades UWP or SLP does have passing through the neighborhoods or the noise the motorcycles does make when they rev those bikes? I not for the noise pollution but at least they willing to help. What all ya doing except beating ya ass uselessly on the internet. smh
The same sound men you all hate so much are the same ones you all call to play at fund raising events for free. those sound men never charge when there is fundraising for cancer patients or for children. they go all out to support to help make it a success. how many of you commenting there event go out to support. a whole bunch of hypocrites.
Wow Saint Lucia! I am very disappointed by what I see in the comment section. It is easy to disparage sound men because many of you have had made the assumption that they belong to a particular class or social grouping. We have an organization that is clearly trying to find a compromise, a middle ground and create a platform for constructive dialogue, but instead of lauding the effort many of you are hell bent on maintaining a particular perception of those who participate in a hobby you clearly fail to understand. Insane amounts of engineering and mathematical ability are required to create these sound boxes. Yet, because these men belong to an assumed “particular class”, instead of engaging in constructive dialogue you make useless comments. Keep the same energy when you speak about the pedophiles, rapists, murders and petty criminals some of you harbour within your own families. CHEWPS!
Noise pollution can impact negatively on young, and older persons. In fact it affects every one. Imagine waking up to your neighbors playing loud music on a Saturday morning – music that continues for the entire day! Imagine your Sunday afternoon being disturbed loud music playing at a neighbor’s birthday party… not only loud music but disrespectful guests parked directly in front your gate!
Noise of any type can affect people’s mental health… it makes one anxious, unable to focus/concentrate, you can’t open your windows due to the loud sound.
Do they know if someone is sick at home and on need of rest? Do they care that children need quiet to study? Does any one care how noise affects babies?
What is in place to report loud music? Who do we report to and what measures will be taken/enforced?