Police permission does not mean you can disturb others

Nov 18, 2008 News

– Divisional Commander

The granting of permission for musical shows and open-air church services does not mean that persons are permitted to disturb others.

This is according to Commander of the police East Coast Demerara Division, Senior Superintendent Balram Persaud, who explained that the police can revoke the permission at any time once a case of noise nuisance is made out.

He explained that many persons are of the belief that once they obtain permission from the police for a show of any kind, they have a right to play their musical instruments to the detriment of others.

“This is not so, and we are taking this very seriously,” Persaud said.

He is appealing to persons who make reports of noise nuisance to give statements so that proper prosecution can take place.

The commander made the appeal in the wake of a number of persons declining to give statements after they would have reported noise nuisance.

He stressed that with the Christmas season approaching, during which there will be a lot of socials where loud music will be played, the police will be more vigilant.

However, for their efforts to bear fruit, it will depend heavily on persons who make reports coming forward and giving statements.

The law on noise nuisance, Section 174 (a), specifically states that the noise must be loud, continuous and to the annoyance of a resident in the area.

He explained that there is no justification for the police who happen to be passing a place where loud music is being played to take action.

He said that a report will have to be made and statements taken for the police to properly prosecute an offender.

“They (police) will not be able to prosecute. Yes, they heard the music playing loudly, but it is not disturbing or annoying anyone, so it is then not a nuisance.

It becomes a nuisance when it affects persons in the area,” the commander said.

“They are making anonymous calls about noise nuisance, and when asked to support the law enforcement efforts, they don’t come forward,” he added.

He observed that a number of persons who report noise nuisance are reluctant to give a statement to the police because it may affect their relationship with their neighbours in most cases.

With regards to the seizure of musical equipment, the divisional commander said that this is normal, since according to him this is to facilitate prosecution.

However, Persaud explained that the police will continue to act on reports despite the reluctance of persons to give statements.

“In C Division, we have a zero tolerance on noise nuisance. So, once a report is made, we don’t warn, we deal with it as a report and try to prosecute,” Persaud told this newspaper.

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Police permission does not mean you can disturb others

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