Editor’s note: Anyone interested in signing the petition can now do so at the link at the end of the story.
One local resident has launched an online petition in efforts to tackle what he describes as “a loudspeaker culture” which he said is plaguing the island.
Colton Paul told Dominica News Online that he started the petition because noise has become a major problem in Dominica.
It aims to have the government ammend and enforce the Noise Abatement Act of 1993.
“In recent years a culture of noise has emerged where it is impossible to walk down the street, get on a bus, be at peace in your home and to sleep without a loudspeaker blaring deafening music in your ears,” he said.
He noted that people simply “blast music to disturb the entire neighbourhood at all hours of the day and night and at any time of the year, without any regard for their neighbours or the law.”
He added further that the police are reluctant to enforce the laws which govern noise pollution and he is of the view that the petition will make a significant difference.
“The noise culture is a destructive force that is blighting not only our lives but the lives many,” he stated. “I am thinking about the impact of noise on the elderly, the sick, the young child whose brain is being wired for noise, who will grow up believing that noise is ‘normal’, who will wear the fact that they can sleep in the mouth of a loudspeaker like a badge of honour; the child who will internalize the negative values and beliefs of the noise culture and the child who is trying to study.”
Paul is of the opinion that noise is an acute form of mental abuse which should not be disassociated from the abuse of children and women and the abuse of the physical landscape, and it should be brought to an end.
“Like these other forms of abuse it must be brought to an end,” he remarked. “It is immoral and illegal and is incompatible with a vision of a healthy, peaceful and loving society.”
Paul stated that a healthier environment must be created for children who will form the next generation and the elimination of excessive noise should be taken into consideration
“I hope all right thinking people will add their name to the petition to send a clear message to the lawmakers and lawbreakers that the loudspeaker culture that is spoiling the lives of many and marring the ability of decent law abiding citizens to enjoy their home will not tolerated and that those in authority will take the appropriate and necessary action to end the culture of noise,” Paul said.
The petition will eventually be forwarded to the prime minister and commissioner of police.
FREEDOM is the right to do anything one pleases WITHOUT VIOLATING IN ANY WAY THE FREEDOM OF ANOTHER.
If people are playing their music so loud that their neighbours cannot talk among themselves in their own houses, cannot answer the phone etc. then that is a violation of the Freedom of the neighbours.
I attended the flower show in Giraudel on Saturday. Whilst at the food stall a lady came to stand beside me. She wanted to connect the double speakers beside the food stall. I said to her there is no need for that. The purpose of a flower show is to appreciate the joy and beauty of the flowers in silence, ( and of course to purchase flowers). I was told by this individual that people needed to know where the food stall was. We are all blessed with an abundance of creativity and imagination and the flower show was all about creativity, and yet where was the creativity in that lady’s response? A simple sign, for example, indicating the location of the food stall would have done the trick. We can all make a difference. Sign the petition for a more peaceful and caring society.
@Tall is her body and others. Even though you don’t comment, you can show your support but signing the prtition and encouraging a few more people to sign it. This is killing the people who live next to this loud speaker torture at their own homes and get no help. I see 108 supporters on the petition at this point but that is saying a lot to put pressure on the Gov’t and other authorities to help the helpless. Thanks for caring for people.
Was never going to comment, but imagine sitting outside from PMH where an ambulance GA475 #55 come up, yes with no patient but the man music loud you can actually hear it on the outside. It’s like he is driving his own personal vehicle…
Dominica is a toilet. Everything about it is third world. It smells, it is corrupt and it has no moral values. Look beyond “noise pollution”, the best thing that could happen to Dominica is for someone to invade it, yet, nobody will. It’s not worth it.
You will let it self destruct.
@’ricki’ .. Like anywhere else Dominica has it’s issues and problems to iron out. You come off rude and out of place with this comment. You’d be more effective to sign the petition and not just give up for giving up sake, that’s a coward thing to do. Peace!
not everywhere in Dominica is a toilet… but Roseau sure is boy them drains stink….
no work nothing to do . all over the world people are enjoying them self we have so many problems let us what we must do , when most of them can buy their bread freely . we lose from vanilla , banana and must more, now tourism no entertainment tell us what must Dominican do to bring food on the table when no one hear the cry of our people . may god bless us all .
I totally agree. Wake up nature island, this is not natural.
Dno , We All Have A Part Do In THE WORK. If Dno facilitates THE WORK. Let Us Present Our LORD GOD GIVEN CONTRIBUTION. For This Is Humble, WITH LOVE,Costing Time, and more. Why block, delete or prevent THE WORK FROM GOING ON?
MANY ARE IN NEED, NO one can give it all. Are you doing it all?
What is going on dno? Posted but awaiting moderation , for how long? ???
It’s not only the loud music but the type of songs that are being played, especially when you have your children with you at the time. Also, some people have no respect they curse all the time.
Yes. totally agree and now even the Haitians and Spanish joining in too……the Law has to be enforced and when persons call the police they should respond Immediately…Check the corner by Ship street and River street…
I agree respect other people.
I agree keep the noise down.
I support the idea 100%. The loud music people have no respect for others, they just blast music or noise any day and any time. You are in your house and can hear music from a car about 100 ft away and by the time it passes your house the music shakes your house. Something must be done to stop that behavior.
I support and agree 100%%%%%. Too much noise everywhere and them drivers who run their cars like mobile disco’s and think they are cool, need saving from themselves!!! Where do I sign?
Dominica so quiet already, to have less noise? When people have their parties music have to rock. If its a bad habit thats another story. Are we going to turn into those countries where you cannot have a party else the neighbour will call police?
thats the idea
I hope we do, unless people learn not to deprirve others of their right to a peaceful live. You are lucky, in London they have noise patrols with power to confiscate your equipment.
Sorry mate. But ur wroung, police cant just enter ur apartment and take ur stofe. Stop just making comment’s and u dont know anything.
Yes dominica wild but dat have nutting 2 do with music being played. What you think it quiet in city’s like London.lol. ja right. Chupes…wow… again we just talk talk talk.
The music just needs to stay at a moderate level and sensible hours. That’s all I think people are asking for!
We all need to know the website address.
Ther is a link in the article. But it is http://www.change.org/petitions/the-government-and-commissioner-of-the-commonwealth-of-dominica-amend-and-enforce-the-noise-abatement-act-1993-5?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created
Nurse Dalrymple keep on calling Angelo on Q95 about this noise and it continues. I support you, I will sign.
Be very careful what precedent you set because there can be no separation. If we abate the noise it wil be for school, church, home, bar, bus, wedding, christening and sewo. Let us not be too hasty to cut off our nose to spite our face. I am all for noise abatement especially when it is not a special occasion but I would not want to jump into a situation whereby when we have our religious feast or birthdays or even independence, we have to suppress our joy! Think wisely people!
This petition will be helpful, I hope. It’s only such peaceful things to begin with. And I hope it will not take a new rash of violence related to this disturbance before the authorities pay serious attention. Peace!
DNO, you posted a similar article some weeks ago. I commented. The following day or evening, the article was removed from your Website. What happened to it?
Those who cause these noises lack consideration. The noise makers must also consider those who are ill.
Too much noise can make one not only angry but deaf. People are not able to concentrate, to carry on a conversation, to hear what others are saying and to sleep peacefully if a lot of noise exists around them. Loud noise creates an unhealthy environment.
I would also sign the petition. May the government do something about it as soon as possible.
Where can one sign such a petition?. Please let us know asap. Lots of folks are waiting to sign on.
The subject of noise pollution brings to mind a particular restaurant/bar in Picard, having loud music and loud talking up until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning sometimes. People live right across the street from that place, including a bedridden elderly lady who suffered a stroke a few years ago. The old man was tired of talking, they couldn’t sleep. Another person living in the area called the Police Station more than once, but nothing came out of it. Hope by now the restaurant/bar owner has taken the people living nearby into consideration and cut down the noise pollution, allowing the people to sleep more peacefully.
Great I am ready to sign, its a big prob just around the burrow square in portsmouth too omg people need rest after a hard week work, at least that volume is too high at times. Hurry with that petition pleeeeeze
I will sign it for sure.I don’t mind during the day,but some of them day going into night and next day like is they alone that leaving in the neighborhood and don’t ask for on the bus.You saying stopping but the music so loud they not hearing smh
I am eager to sign the petition. I have had similar problems with noise from loud music and vehicles from neighbors nearby. One evening I had such a terrible headache after the noise woke me up at 2am.
yOU HAVE MY sUPPORT 100%
And the loud churches should recall Matthew 6:6:
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6″But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Amen!
Absolute nonsensical comment and misuse of the scriptures. Be careful that you wont need the church. The issue being raised is a serious one don’t play games with it.
There’s this lady bar in possy that plays music every friday night from afternoon all the way to early morning saturday and u cant sleep at all
I want to sign the petition – just last good friday – my neighbour played music from 4pm all the way to 3am next day – i got up with the headache cause i could not sleep.
I IN THAT!!!! this is really mental abuse
good move Paul, cause this loud speaker noise is a menace to society. On a bus u cant even sit peaceful after a long days work, u have to be listening to a loud sound and sometimes is the type of songs.
I want to sign the petition.
yes i am ready to sign. my neighbour blast music anytime at night and he thinks it is all well and good.
I will be signing the petition with no fear cause I was a victim of the noise problem and was also victimized by superiors in my effort to deal with the problem
I have a very serious problem with that noise problem . only last holy Saturday one bartender started playing loud music from 8am when it was approaccing 9pm that da i went very politely to ask him to lower the music , cause i had a terrible headache that was ey when they turned up the volume. Can u imagine i called the police at the station asking him please give me some attentionn, the police asked me if is only this music which disturbs me what about the man in the other bar close by, I had to tell him if it was disturbing me i would have taken action as well. So we have no protection from police and as a senoir respect they have no compassion for us . Something needs to be done to protect the senior citizenss
I am of the opinion that alcohol intake, drug use, corruption etc. are acute forms of mental abuse which should not be disassociated from the abuse of children and women and the abuse of the physical landscape, and should be brought to an end…
……. All are incompatible with the vision of a healthy, peaceful and loving society…. 
Right, but what has that got to do with noise pollution?
Where do i sign?
Good move. I will sign.
One’s freedom stops where his neighbor’s start.
dominica is as quiet as a dead man we have no night life and so exciting for tourist i mean yes we are suppose to be mindfull of noise but some people just ignorant what u expect to have a dead community where is the recreation people
Music is nice but the loudness is getting intolerable, especially early morning and late night into the wee hours of the morning.
– Some people come especiallly to a place like Dominica to escape the noise and be with nature/
– By all means, have your fun but why should others have to suffer for your pleasure? if you win the Lottery you are not insisting everyone sharing it with you either, so why should people have to share your noise? That is pure selfishness.
The people in this house will sign. Can you include the barking dogs that go on all night. Because no one can be bothered to go find out WHY they are barking.
People if you cannot train your dog in a humane way, and control it’s behaviour then don’t get a dog. No continual barking that disturb your neighbours and out them off their living,, no cruel tying of it 24/7 and no beating it. It’s time to leave all that wickedness behind.
I support you 10000%
I in that one. We like too much dayzod in DA. When ppl come home from work or wherever they want to relax and be at peace not hear all your dayba and twaka of their neighbors, music and pets. Bus drivers respect pple’s airs too!
Let’s have more time enjoying the ‘natural’ sounds in our nature isle!
Airs eh!!?? Good thing we don’t have those else we won’t hear. Then again you may be right. Some of us have ears and others definitely have airs. They just don’t hear much less for listen. Just a lil humor. I am all for the fight against this ever Increasing noise pollution.
We’ll sign. The petition and law would not be necessary if people would only be considerate (that is, follow the Golden Rule). But that is not the case. While at it, the law should be amended to address the boom boxes on wheels that many transports are. This noise is a sleep killer and a tourism killer.
Amen.
I agree to your petition people , a lot of our people do not know how to respect their neighbours and have any consideration to others. Keep it up
Where do I sign? I agree completely. While on a bus you have to scream, “stopping!” over the loud music.
Petition not displayed for signature.
ADMIN: We are having a slight problem with the link that was sent to us. We are working on that and will have the petition displayed very soon.
Aye DNO where is the petition I ready to sign. I cannot sleep at night because of a mad man playing music all night. It seems the police not doing anything. PLEASE SEND THE PETITION.
good initiative my name will be on it
I clicked onto Sign the Petition and it is not there.
I agree 100% !!!!!! We are really a loudspeaker culture….I think one other area I feel we need to watch closely as well is the loud motorbike culture !!!!!!!!!!!!! Vroom…vroom …vroom day and night. This totally irritates me. The police esp. traffic division needs to look at this closely.
I agree 100% !!!!!! We are really a loudspeaker culture….I think one other area I feel we need to watch closely as well is the loud motorbike culture !!!!!!!!!!!!! Vroom…vroom …vroom day and night. This totally irritates me. The police esp. traffic division needs to look at this closely.
Paul – I support your petition and I hope others sign on. I often wonder how folks can enjoy music when it is that loud. I applaud your efforts!
That is not only for the police to enforce the noise abatement act but also an issue for the Environmental Health Dept. and the Min. of tourism because such noise is a proven health hazard and does not help to promote our tourism
This will help to quieten down some churches too I hope. Forcing their noise and opinions onto people who are trying to relax quietly in their homes.
The church is made up of people. Why is it ok to force your opinions on these people with your unwholesome music at any time or hour but for a few hours the church can’t hold it’s service? If the noise from a church building is too much I am certain you could speak to the person in charge. Many of these homes were built around some of these churches.
Paul our peole have been sold to the devil,our country has no more laws,sad to say.
If it was sold to the devil, then it can be reclaimed. Why don’t you start reclaiming it.
Alas, poor Grell!!!
that is your business if you were sold to the devil and accepts it.i was and never will be sold to the devil.i am and always will be a child of god.