THE EDITOR, Sir:
READING THE letter, titled 'Sleepless in Belvedere' in yesterday's Gleaner, reminded me of the numerous times I wanted to write about the very same issue that plagues so many of us: the pounding noise we have to endure week after week(end) in several areas of Kingston.
We live within a kilometre of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, the 'backyard' of the Police Officers' Club. It does not matter to the dance organisers that Andrews Hospital is nearby. The sick just have to endure the pain of their sickness AND the pounding noises from the entertainment centre. You may be on your death bed... they ask you to endure! Whether bingo night or concert (if one can call the nightlong screaming and pounding of bass a 'concert'), we are left helpless.
Calling 119 or any police station is just another frustration, as they either do not respond or reply, 'We have been there already'. And did what, please? Well, if we have to call the police to silence the police (Officers' Club) and their backyard, and they have no power to discipline the organisers of their own functions, then this country is truly in a poor state.
Working during the week, we look forward to a well-deserved and restful weekend, with a good night's sleep. Instead, thousands of sleepless people are forced to suffer the stress of an incredible noise by a small group of people who seem to be in party mood 24/7. And if there is any other function within the area, we then get the noise from two sides, with different sounds and screams - all melting into one single barbaric noise in our homes.
Yes, people do have a right to party. But this right stops where our right to a peaceful home and restful night starts. We are governed and tormented by minorities who could not care less that Jamaica's productivity starts with a balanced life - not with a 'dance'.
I am, etc.,
'ANOTHER SLEEPLESS'
aarthur56@hotmail.com
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
