By Sue-Ann Wayow
WHILE parties and fetes have been on a lockdown since last year, that has not stopped persons from blasting out music from their homes and cars and it can be a painful sound for many.
Citizens Against Noise Pollution in Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT) was formed in 2015 by freelance researcher, Josie Ache-de Goulard and began as an online support group for citizens who were affected by noise pollution. 
However, in September, the group took the decision to formally register as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as it claimed the scourge of noise pollution has increased exponentially, affecting the quality life of many citizens.
The group would have had concerns about noise disturbances mainly in residential areas by:
- Fetes;
- Fireworks especially scratch bombs which are now illegal;
- Night clubs that insist on having outdoor fetes and speakers facing the roadway with their music way above the regulated decibel level;
- Nuisance neighbours who play loud music at all hours; and
- Any other situation that constitutes as noise disturbance to individuals.
Although there are laws against noise pollution, it is hardly ever enforced said the groups public relations officer Lindy-Ann Bachoo which was the group’s main issue.
She told AZPNews.com, “We would like to raise awareness on several problems affecting citizens in this country as well lobby for changes in legislation.”
There are several issues that has the group’s attention.
They include the lack of enforcement of rules under the Summary and Offences Act with regard to perpetrators by the police; noise complaints that are treated as trivial matters by police officers on most occasions; long-wait times for patrols to deal with noise complaints or no action at all; no charging of individuals only warnings despite clear laws for disturbing the peace; and threats being made against members of the public by perpetrators of noise.
Bachoo said there seems to be a conflict in terms of which body is authorised to effective deal with noise complaints.
She said, “The EMA’s response for any type of loud music emanating from a residence is to contact the police. However, the police response is that noise complaints should be addressed to the EMA. Citizens have no relief.”
Founder’s story
Ache-de Goulard told AZPNews.com her reason behind the group.
She said, “What propelled me to start the group was the community in which I lived in Bel Air, La Romaine, which of course borders Gulf View and the Link Road. On the Link Road Stretch there is: The Rig, Mapau Casino, Space La Nouba.
“Added to which Bel Air has a playground that our association used to rent out for fetes and events. Added to which we also had a neighbour not far from me that rented his out for weddings and events as well.
“Basically it was noise 24/7 every day of the week, month and year, not to mention when Skinner Park and environs were having events we could hear everything as though it were actually in our house. It got so bad most times that our house would shake both internally as well as externally.”
Ache-de Goulard continued, “I’ve lived with severe almost daily migraines that I was diagnosed with at the tender age of ten. When they get particularly bad, which has happened on numerous occasions, I blacked out and ended up in the emergency ward at Gulf View Medical and had to be administered a combination drug by injection that put me to sleep for three days each time I had it.”
After writing letters of complaints, to the Member of Parliament, the San Fernando City Corporation and the EMA for years until finally, Space La Nouba was sound proofed and events moved to other venues.
EMA’s involvement
EMA’s website states, “The EMA investigates instances of recurring noise with the assistance of the Environmental Police Unit (EPU). The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) can provide immediate relief from noise pollution. The Police can use various pieces of legislation including the Summary Offences Act and the Motor Vehicles & Road Traffic Regulations to address the situation right away.
“If anyone intends to exceed the standards set by the Noise Pollution Control Rules such as for a party or other event, they must first apply for and receive a Noise Variation from the Environmental Management Authority. A Noise Variation is a permit that allows a deviation from the prescribed standards of the NPCR, but also limits the level of sounds that can be emitted.”
There is currently a suspension of the Noise Variation application process due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The application fees for such permits are: $250 for single events, $1,000 for multiple events, and $2,500 for activities in excess of one year or any part thereof.
2010 I made my first formal complaints to the EMA for loud music from two neighbours. After I went to the police. And today 9/8/2022 and nothing was ever done to stop this. I even went to the courts. But no help as today I am bombarded yet again. By grown men, teen and the owner of the premises. Who by the way works no where. Does nothing all day but plays music. Tormenting for us but a happy life to them by bringing misery to others.
Hey I fully support this group..
I’ve been going through this ordeal for a couple years now… The neighbor has her radio outside and comes out turn up her radio, jumps in her car and goes on a daily basis.
The music has been affecting my family so bad and the EMA/ POLICE is just tit for tat..
I donr have money to move… I’ve worked so hard to build my home… I just want peace and quite…
EMA amended Rule 2 of Noise Pollution Control Rules, 2001 (“NPCR”) from 3 hours to 30 minutes gives me no comfort.
When my sleep is disturbed by Noise Nuisance/Pollution I am compelled to read on the subject. I have found
Code of Practice
Control of Noise in the Music Entertainment Industry in Trinidad & Tobago
December 2003 a Document prepared by Alvin C. Daniell of MAJOR & minor PRODUCTIONS LIMITED for the EMA.
This well prepared document I am sure was costly. However the recommendations were ignored by the EMA. Our experiences are that clever Events Promoters and Djs are using loopholes in T & T Laws nightly to out smart the EMA, TTPS and Transport Division thus preventing citizens and residents of all ages restful sleep. For restful sleep 30 dB no more.
For example 23 February 2019 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Fetes/Events were held around the clock and the EMA issued Variation Permits to these Promoters. Did the EMA knowingly issued Variation Permits for the same venue Brian Lara Cricket Academy back to back for 24 hours continuously and for consecutive days, nights, weeks?
Who is reading and examining these applications for Permits for Noise Variations?
EMA Noise Variation Permits make null and void the protection laws. We are not fooled!
The EMA collects revenue for these permits.
Residents reported as far as Claxton Bay their homes shook and they were affected by the Noise Nuisance/Pollution. Residents also in Marabella, Vistabella, St. Joseph Village, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando were affected. The music amplified speakers were parked on music trucks at the Brian Lara Stadium and not on public roads. These drivers claimed that they were not breaking Traffic Laws. At intervals the trucks drivers changed the direction of the trucks therefore in the east, west, north and south all communities/villages and their residents were traumatized for weeks nightly with these events 24/7.
In 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. The Government of Trinidad & Tobago through the UNDP Environment Trust Fund established the EMA in 1995.
Honestly, our experiences with the EMA leaves much to be desired. Over 20 years ago we relocated to this established residential village because of Noise Pollution at our residence prior to our move.We got no relief or help with the EMA. In general there has been rapid deterioration in Trinidad & Tobago in our Environment. We have been communicating with the EMA since it inception.
With Covid 19 I know Almighty Father God intervened Amen.
We welcomed the LOCKDOWN to normalize our sleep.
ALL THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH THE JOB OF KEEPING THE PEACE IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
WE, THE CITIZENS ARE CALLING ON YOU TO STOP THIS ABUSE OF EXCESSIVE NOISE.
We need 30 dB no more all night and every night to ensure citizens residents can sleep at nights and be productive during the day.
Blessings to All
I would like very much to join your group as i have been a victim of noise pollution where i live on Bejamin Street Diego Martin.
Thank for publishing my previous comments.
We need to press on for AMERA CORPORATION TO SOUND PROOF SOUTH PARK MALL.
Long Circular Mall, West Mall, Trincity Mall, Mid Centre Mall,
Centre Point Mall, Atlantic Plaza, Gulf City Mall namely are ALL ENCLOSED STRUCTURES.
Ministry of Planning & Development,
Town & Country Planning Division Officers entrusted to do site visits, study the impact on the environment, drainage, alterations to the topography of the location e.g back filling water courses resulting in floods and landslides. Only last evening our Councillor for Marabella /Vistabella South expressed his concerns about the watercourse which separates St. Joseph Village from the northern area Twilight Drive In has collapsed Thirty (30) feet and more destruction is predicted if left to whenever Government funds are available. Some weeks ago there was severe flooding on the Link Road and the
San Fernando By Pass. I know full well that the topography has changed east of the By Pass and there has been massive construction in the area.
These Town & Country Officers have failed, denying residents in established bonafide communities to Human Rights to enjoy their homes with positive sounds of nature, birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind, to be outdoor experiencing the cooling of the breeze.
Previously my family and I lived in Central in a Residential Zone ear marked for Executive Housing.
Point Lisas Industrial Estate at the time was on a small scale for light industries. However, PLIDECO management received instructions to make way for a Chemical Plant in the mangrove opposite us.
Construction was done like a thief in the night behind the cane fields. Fortunately I went to my home for lunch and on checking our mail box I saw a Notice for a Public Consultation the same afternoon. We attended this Consultation when we were informed that the plant was under construction.The consultation ended in an uproar with Environmentalists expressing their concerns.
My husband and I were in regular contact with the EMA Police on the telephone armed with our Decibel meter and giving the EMA Police up to date Readings. By letter we invited to the EMA to live free of charge in our home to experience and witness that our complaints were real.
EMA Police came on one (1) occasion with their equipment and after FIVE (5) MINUTES told my husband it is TOO MUCH NOISE FOR THEM and promptly took their leave.
We continued in our quest for some relief from this abuse. I was advised by an attorney to seek refuge in another community.This is our reason for residing in St. Joseph Village.
Recently we have learnt that our last location was reclassified to an Industrial Zone again like a thief in the night. The lands earmarked for Executive Housing also reclassified to an Industrial Park which is under construction a further treat and destruction to the environment.
Just a few weeks ago we had Trinidad & Tobago Representatives in Scotland participating in CLIMATE CHANGE!
Blessings to All. We shall overcome. ” Now The Day Is Over” this Hymn gives me great comfort
I fully support this NGO. This noise problem has been a menace to all law abiding and sober minded citizens.
I am so glad that this group is established. I will support it fully as I also had to report neighbors who had fetes with extremely loud music that rattled my windows. I always say that we get the Governance we deserve. Neighbors are glad to let one person do the ‘dirty work’ of reporting the noise pollution incident. We don’t realise our strength in unity.
Noise pollution is an issue that plagues this country. We are in lockdown and SOE and yet there are fireworks being sold on every corner. Music in cars is a nuisance and inconsoderate neighbours are the worst.
The man across from me has been stressing me out for years. Police have now stop coming they sent me to EMA and the EMA quoted the law that the police can charge them under but the police officers insist that I something for EMA. I am so tired I sit in my house in tears and when the galvanize starts shaking it worst.
I am a resident of St Joseph Village, San Fernando. Pre Covid 19 Restrictions it was hell with noise from Southpark Mall Street Strip for 24/7 Entertainment DJs early in the afternoon soliciting business. One event followed another straight until 6 am. When Brian Lara Cricket Stadium was opened for fete promoters it was double/triple hell because the had breakfast parties rolling in literally 24/7 when I carefully examined the times for each event permit. I wrote to our President Paula Mae Weekes in desperation. I have had all the same responses from San Fernando City CEO. The San Fernando City Police, the Marabella and Mon Repos Police. The EMA’s strategy when they came to my house they “called m out” every single time to stand on the street in the wee hours of the morning to watch them take the readings. When they left at 7am I was worse off than before they came. My home is on top of the hill on a main street and the side street off it allows no barrier to the full blast of these monstrous speakers.
Loud speakers for death notices, funerals, scrap iron dealers, supermarkets, fishermen, manure, election campaigns in the village and on the San Fernando By Pass do not allow any time to unwind and relax from other stresses. I cannot hear myself think. All these noises are very invasive into my my home, our lives.
These constant noises just drains everything out of me, unable to read, to pray, to live my life to its fullest.
Other noises with residents using industrial water pumps to wash down their 3 stories buildings and if that is not bad enough the pump is defective
i.e. without a silencer so we have had to leave our home to seek refuge. This pressure washing went on for two weeks. Sadly where we went to
Gran Couva the people’s next door equipment for their’s also a three stories sends a whilsting noise straight through this residence. What they are cleaning especially on a Sunday morning still baffle us.
Also at La Vega Garden entertainment centre, La Vega estate they rent out for weddings etc.
T&T laws need to be enforced.
I thank Father God, Lord Jesus and Blessed Holy Spirit for the restrictions we have due to Covid 19. I see it as a blessing Amen.