Is reporting noise nuisance a complete waste of time?

Dear Editor,
Father’s Day was celebrated throughout the world on Sunday 15th and Guyana was no exception. On a happy note, visiting dad, having a family reunion, eating, drinking and merrymaking, giving a gift or simply calling dad alternatively, are some of the pronounced ways of commemorating this annual event.
On a solemn tone, some families will visit the burial ground, some will reminisce about the past; some will be subjected to a sad state; some will give to charity, and some will provide humanitarian service; all in memory of the passing of a dearly beloved father.
The majority of people will be persuaded to show some degree of appreciation and give thanks to that fatherly figure. Some will resent the day because of those who did not live up to expectations. It is the sombre, sober and sorrowful reaction to a soured reality.
One family from Crabwood Creek, Corentyne Berbice, still mourns the loss of their breadwinner, who attempted to defend his family, save their honour and preserve the nobility of human dignity. A pandit chose to confront the lawlessness portrayed by those who were imbibing, using foul language, making noise, creating a nuisance in front of his home and disturbing his family from sleeping and resting peacefully, at 2 am on a Sunday morning four years ago. He was mercilessly killed and his young eleven-year-old son was also injured when he bravely tried to save his father from those murderous cowards.
The pandit’s frustrated wife explained that the raucous began on Saturday evening and calls to the police proved futile. Had the police done their job, perhaps the outcome would have been less traumatic.
A double murder occurred by a popular Leonora Bar in the wee hours of a Saturday night last year.
Many other deadly incidents have been recorded throughout Guyana.
Why are entertaining places allowed to open after midnight; more so, until 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning? It is the duty of the police to provide and protect the safety of all citizens in Guyana at all times and anywhere, without fear or favour.
Recently, there have been many reports in the newspapers and on the internet regarding noise nuisance in the public, especially in residential areas where supermarkets, bars and nightclubs are licensed to operate.
Many have spoken out against the consumption of alcohol, rowdy behaviour, loud and obscene noise emanating from public gathering and public transportation. Why are vehicles allowed to roam the streets while playing deafening, noisy and vulgar music any hour of the day and night, on the roads, in front of churches, mosques, mandirs, schools, hospitals and even the police stations and courthouses, without the police raising an eyebrow, batting an ear or curtailing this devastating issue?
It is high time the police play an active role, positively and proactively in protecting those vulnerable to damaging noise nuisance; implement and execute the law and do what is right. When last was a ticket written for noise nuisance? The goodly Attorney General stated that you can play your music but you cannot play it to disturb your neighbour or worse yet, the neighbourhood.
Citizens are entitled to a good night’s rest and have the right to enjoy peace when it’s time to sleep without being subjected to the pronounced noise disturbance by people, cars, motorbikes, alarms, vulgar behaviour, loud noises from shouting, squealing, laughter, conversations and obscene language, more in particular from customers and employees and taxi drivers visiting bars and nightclubs operating in residential areas.
When will the law wake up to this horrendous call being repeated disgustingly, and act in favour of innocent citizens – and not patronise business owners who are only concerned about profiting from their operation? They do not care about morality, law and order, the welfare of the sick, elderly, students, workers, babies; or have the civility and dignity of possessing the minimum respect for others to have the right to live peacefully as a human being and share the same environment.
Why aren’t police taking calls, especially in the night when law abiding citizens call for help? It is noticeable that when business owners summon the police, they unhesitatingly arrive. Is the law being compromised?

Most times you call the police stations and you’re lucky for someone to answer. The excuse is always the same: they do not have any officer to respond; the patrol is out attending to another matter; someone will come shortly – and they never turn up. Worse yet, the police are claiming that their phones are malfunctioning!
This is a slap in the face of the Commissioner of Police, the Home affairs Minister, the Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs and…the President of this nation. This is an oil rich nation with a government working overnight, and toiling non-stop in order to ensure that the rights of the people are protected; safety and security is guaranteed, and all must be treated equally and justifiably.
Are those honourable offices aware of any plight or dilemma the police officers and stations are overwhelmed with which prevents them from giving of their best and undermining them from their required operations?
Most police officers are clean, honest, hardworking, ready, willing and capable of implementing and executing the law. The tainted and stained ones are still practising and perfecting the “leff or rite’ rule.
Instead of being vigilante and patrolling the streets in the night to deter law breakers, some could be seen hanging out at bars with the owners without any left to the imagination!
Will this letter be another waste of time; ignored or thrown in the garbage? Will the police finally and firmly deal holistically with the national issue of noise disturbance as a menace and nuisance, and take remedial and appropriate action – and not leave law abiding citizens hanging in mid air for their dear life?

Yours sincerely,
Jai Lall