Police Commander promises tougher action on noise nuisance

NOISE nuisance is becoming a chronic issue and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) needs to take tougher action against offenders, Rural Constabulary Sergeant Tomar Dhwaj told the ‘B’ Division, Berbice Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph.

Speaking at the launch of the Christmas Policing Programme in the boardroom of the Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Dhwaj, who has been part of the Rural Constabulary for 37 years, complained that the advent of amplifiers and ‘boom boxes’ in vehicles has changed the culture of driving.
He now sees the loud music as nothing more than a hype which annoys law abiding citizens.
“After hours (at nights) when the Traffic Police get back into the station, we hear men on motorcycles racing and revving their engines. Also along the Palmyra (Corentyne) Road where I live, cars pass at all hours with loud music and disturb our peace.
“I am appealing to the administration of ‘B’ Division to address this issue,” he pleaded.
In response, the Divisional Commander gave the assurance that the police are working to address the issue, since there have been similar complaints previously.
“I know, for a fact, that noise nuisance is a concern and I am working to address the issue in ‘B’ Division. We have a zero tolerance approach towards this matter and we have confiscated music boxes and placed a number of persons before the court,” he stated.
About concerns raised to the prevalence of loud music emanating from parked vehicles outside popular ‘hang out’ spots, along Main Street, New Amsterdam, Joseph promised to look into those, as well.

(By Michael Khan)