– to address noise nuisance, pollution

NOISE pollution can lead to all sorts of social ills, says Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.
But that’s not all, he says, as under the Environmental Protection Act and Noise Management Regulations, persons can be prosecuted.

Minister Ramjattan was at the time addressing some 50 police ranks attending a one-day Noise Management Training Course, at the Officers’ Training Centre at Eve Leary.

The course, which was held on Thursday, was facilitated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the ‘stats’, there were 417 reports of noise nuisance 2017, and more than 300 for 2018. The course is part of the Guyana Police Force’s efforts to build capacity to address evolving challenges.

Minister Ramjattan said that such training illustrates that there’s more to policing than meets the eye; that “a policeman is more than just a policeman”.

What this means, constitutionally, he said, is that “As citizens you can do what you want, but do not hurt or harm others,” as society has become more complicated; the roles of policemen and women will expand, depending on the circumstances.

Training, he said, is but one step, “since we want a revolution in terms of how they perceive themselves.”

He, however, noted that given the ever-evolving nature of society, the time has come to implement more effective prosecutions, such as seizing equipment, revoking licences, and increasing fines.

“I want policemen to know about the laws and how they should be enforced,” Minister Ramjattan said, adding that once all officers employ the increased training opportunities they’re being offered, there will be law and order in the society.

Weighing in on the subject, EPA Executive Director, Aminah McPherson-Damon said the objective of the course is to get to a stage where the population is environmentally conscious.
McPherson-Damon, who also serves as the organisation’s Legal Corporate Secretary, highlighted that regulations prescribe penalties for those who breach them.

She, however, lamented that despite a sound framework, there’s yet more work to be done, hence the need to equip ranks with the legal framework and technical competence to deal with these issues.
“It is hoped that today’s workshop is another step to achieving these lofty ideals,” she said.

Participants were given an overview of the EPA’s role in noise management, noise control case studies, noise regulations, effective noise management through the Noise Task Force, evidence-based enforcement of noise regulations, and taken on a field visit and practical sessions.