Unbearable noise in my neighbourhood

Dear Editor,
I AM a re-migrant, aged 68, who is now regretting ever making such a rash decision to come back home to reside. My failing health just can’t withstand the numerous acts of noise abuse in my area, especially at the weekends. I am completely fed-up having to make a number of useless calls to the police to get relief. I am reluctant to pick up the phone because of the set of baloney I’m being told I have to do before any action is taken.
It is my hope that this new Top Cop will collaborate once again with the Minister of Public Security to re-examine this present backward policy, to present a more realistic one to deal with noise nuisances.

It’s irksome when I am told that I have to make a personal appearance to the station, at whatever hour, to give a statement before charges can be laid on the perpetrator/s, and when I am told that I have to go to court to give evidence, it’s not encouraging. Firstly not only is it putting my life at risk but it is also an unnecessary burden for anyone who is facing this type of abuse, especially if he/she is a senior citizen. The backwardness of the whole policy is daunting. What about pushcarts? Do I have to get dressed, walk quite a distance for transportation to the station, sit there for hours before there is any attendant to give a statement, with the possibility of there not being a vehicle available.

The Minister of Public Security and the Top Cop need to fix this piece of legislation immediately; for whoever came up with that dangerous stupid idea should have his/her head examined. How can the Minister of Public Security and panel put the citizens of this country at such risk. Am I expected to attend court against two or three persons if they decide to break the law in one day? This happens quite often, I can safely count at least seven persons in the area who play their music very loud.

If the police decide to take action after I would have highlighted more than one act of noise abuse, then give statements, how can they so callously expose me to that kind of danger and expect me to go to court so often. This is why people are afraid to even fight back whenever these atrocities occur. This is a job solely for the police. They must take action and prosecute and attend court once the perpetrator/s are caught by them. If it is a disabled person making a call or someone who is bedridden, are these people expected to go to the station and give a statement and then go to court to give evidence? Where I lived in the United States of America, affected citizens can call the police anonymously and once the police responds the perpetrator/s are prosecuted and taken to court by them, not the police telling the complainant he/she has to leave their home to go to the station to give a statement, at any given hour, so that they the police can lay a charge and the complainant has to attend court to give evidence.

As it so often happens, sometimes it could be a vehicle parked somewhere in the vicinity, a call to the police should see a patronal coming to stop this act, the perpetrator/s be taken to the station and be charged immediately, not this backwardness that is being told to persons affected.

How can the Minister of Public Security and the police place such a burden on citizens, especially if it’s only one person who is brave enough to highlight what is happening in the community? Is that person expected to attend court every time he/she makes a complaint because it is more than one perpetrator? Come on let’s have some sensible legislation here.

I think the motto of the police should be changed from “Serve and Protect” to “Serve and Neglect”.

Regards,
Disappointed re-migrant

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