IS THIS a case of Animal Farm? A public nuisance is defined as " ... an unlawful act or omission which endangers the health, safety, or comfort of the public (or some section of it) or obstructs the exercise of a common right, for example selling contamintated food, or obstructing a highway."

Almost every night, weeknight and weekends, extremely loud music with selectors/operators screaming into the microphone at wee hours of the morning is being endured by the surrounding neighbours of Ken's Wildflower in Portmore (well past the mandated 12 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends).

This offending business entity has been operating this outdoor music operation for years. I have been living in an adjoining community (well over the outlined 100 metres (as outlined in the Noise Abatement Act of March 26, 1997) for the past six years and as a direct consequence, have not been able to enjoy a continuous week of rest at nights - one or two nights here and there but never a complete and continuous week.

Public nuisance

There are other clubs/business entities that have since taken up this form of public nuisance with impunity in the general vicinity of Bayport and Bayside. Surely, I am not the only taxpaying citizen being affected by this public nuisance. To the credit of the police, each time that they are called, the music is subsequently turned off in short order.

My questions, however, are these: Is there no way of permanently silencing these offending entities after say, the third offence? Is it that although there is the Noise Abatement Act in effect, that some animals are more equal than others?

I am, etc.,

Evroy Jones

evroyj@yahoo.com