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.”