I WRITE in reference to a letter in the media, ‘Police  not taking action against Shieldstown noise nuisance’, written by a concerned resident of Shieldstown Settlement, West Bank Berbice. I can imagine what residents must endure from loud booming noise emanating out of these music boxes, especially late in the evenings when they get louder without turning up the volume.
My Guyanese neighbour here in Toronto loves to ‘boom’ his music when he is home on the weekends.
The first time I heard the loud music I asked him why the music was so loud and whether everyone loves the music he is playing?
Well, in short order, he put me in my place by telling me if I or anyone don’t like his music they should plug their ears.
I did not want a confrontation so I decided to leave him alone and started walking away when he turned to me and say: “By law I can play my music as loud as I want until 11 pm.”
I decided to stay and talk with my neighbour by asking him if, as you say, the law allows you to play your music as loud as you want “what time does the law says you can start”?
Well my Guyanese neighbour laid a cussing on me and I stood there and took it all.
Next thing I knew the police pulled up, told him to turn down his loud music and told him this is just a warning because of the many complaints from his neighbours.
My neighbour did in fact turn his music way down for him to hear only. I stood there and told him to tell the officers exactly what he told me.
The officer asked me what my neighbor told me.
I said ‘he told me that according to the laws of Canada he is allowed to play his music as loud as he likes until 11 pm’.
The officer read the laws to him and told him he was wrong to think like that since he should show respect for the elderly, the sick and babies and those who are studying.
The officer told him you are allowed to play your music 24 hours a day, seven days a week but for your pleasure strictly and only, and not to disturb the peace, and you could even be fined and evicted for it.
My Guyanese neighbour’s big mouth went very silent. The officer left, or so he thought.
He thought the officer went down the elevator and was gone, so my big, bad neighbour pumped his music even louder than before.
The officer went through the exit door and hid there for a few minutes because police officers have gone through this many times. The officer called for back-up.
Other police officers arrived in no less than five minutes, went in and ripped out his music set, took it and him with them.
Next day, I saw my neighbour and he was like a lamb, did not know what police did to him and did not want to know.
All I know is the neighbourhood never even heard a pocket radio coming from my big, bad Guyanese neighbour again.
The problem with noise pollution in Guyana is what most Guyanese already know and that is most police officers who are within ear shot of loud booming music are on the take to allow this nuisance to happen.
I feel so sorry for people who complain but nothing happens.
The booming did not come from mini buses while I was in Guyana but came from private cars and when I say its loud then trust me it’s loud.
A car would pass in Garnett Street, at like one in the morning, but could be heard all the way in Lamaha Street booming and gone in a flash, waking up the neighbourhood.
How to stop it I have no clue but will ask law makers to make laws to put an abrupt end to this noise nuisance pollution.
 
T. KING