By Chantalé Fletcher
CITIZENS Against Noise Pollution in Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT) is calling for more members.
At a meeting on Wednesday, public relations officer Lindy Ann Ramsook made the plea for citizens of all fields to volunteer their time and stand up against noise pollution.
CANPTT was formed in 2015 by freelance researcher Josie Ache-de Goulard as an online support group for citizens who were affected by noise pollution.
Noise pollution is the regular exposure to elevated levels of sound that may lead to adverse effects on the health and well-being of humans and other organisms.
The group was formally registered in September 2021 as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) due to the elevation of noise pollution and was approved in December.
President of CANPTT Joey Maharaj said the group had implemented a five-step approach which began with the incorporation of the organisation.
The second step included public awareness and laws through testimonials from persons who would have experienced noise pollution and 20-second social media ads to build awareness.
The third step consisted of data in terms of the number of reports, calls and cases from citizens to be carried to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Maharaj said that based on conversations, the TTPS claimed they were unaware of any noise pollution in the country.
The fourth step would be to increase membership as there are numbers in strength.
He also called on people to participate in a day of protest in numbers which would have a significant impact in Trinidad.
Maharaj added the last step would be to engage the authorities including the TTPS and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and lobby Parliamentarians to amend the laws for noise pollution.
Moderator Tamara Chatar said she understood the fear to make reports but urged people to come forward as it was the only way to address the issues.
She said, “ Evidence is considered taking your time and going to the police and making that report. We are really trying. We need to take the evidence these things are falling on deaf ears and go in front of the superintendents, the commissioner of police and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) if it has to reach to that.”
My problem is excessive crowing by rosters next door.
Since 2003 I have experience noise annoyance indecent exposure by bar patrons.
I have made many objections, presently have an appeal before the court.
Which took 2years to be filed, because of the J P refusals to do it ,only when another J P took over it was filed.
I write on behalf of neighbors who have 2 small children and who have lived on Lady Chancellor Road for over 25 years. A sprawling illegal guest whore/guest house/hotel, Alicia’s Place, continues to expand and encroach on their boundaries. It has become a party venue (with NO licenses BTW), hosting huge fetes AT LEAST once a week – many of them lasting all night into the mornings. The long-suffering families cannot live there during these times and have to vacate their homes in order to sleep. Loud dance hall music, prostitutes, criminal elements are all part of this. All of the residents have seen their properties devalued, but the immediate neighbors cannot sleep. It is reported over and over and over again to the police on each occasion with absolutely no results.