THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT WAS interesting to hear the reasons given by Superintendent Herman Brown for what he called the low crime rate in St. Elizabeth. I am sure that the people of this parish, myself included, are very grateful to Superintendent Brown and his staff for all their efforts in fighting crime, but I suspect the real reason why the rate is low in St. Elizabeth is that we in these parts have a better understanding of the concept of "putting in before you are allowed to take out."
I also read in the same edition the report of the South Coast Resort Board and would like to add my disappointment to that felt by the board of the police failure to stop the noise nuisance in the general area from Southfield to Treasure Beach. There is no doubt in my mind that this nuisance which is seen by investors at home and abroad as a breeding ground for crime has deterred developers from moving into the area. 'It is a relief between Friday through to Sunday night when there is a power outage.'
Frequent telephone calls to the police achieves nothing. Anyone it appears can put up very large loud speakers onto a forecourt and play as loudly as they like into any time the next day and the only people who can't hear it are the police.
Even a visit to the beach or park is spoilt by some idiot drawing alongside with his only possession an old car with boosted audio to play his particular brand of garbage full of glee thinking that he is providing a service.
I believe that Parliament gave the police the right to shut these parties or business events down and confiscate the equipment in the same way that they can take an unsafe vehicle or an unlicensed taxi off the road without a resident having to make repeated calls.
Perhaps Superintendent Brown or indeed any officer of the law would like to tell us what powers he has and or how he interprets the Law.
I am, etc.,
C.C. BENNETT
St. Elizabeth
