THE EDITOR, Sir :
MY HUSBAND and I have vacationed in Jamaica over a period of many years. Regret-fully, we shall never again set foot on your island. Every year the noise engulfing Jamaica gets worse in frequency, duration and intensity.
Our last stay in February 2004 was a living nightmare. It was nigh impossible to avoid the ubiquitous thumping boom cars and roaring engine exhaust. Meanwhile, the pounding bass from nightclubs keeps many awake throughout the night.
The police we spoke to were gracious but seemed utterly incapable of making any dent in the noise plague gripping your country. Once a delightful island paradise which we cherished, the noise vigilantes have transformed it into a loathsome noise hell.
UNDER 'ENEMY' ATTACK
I feel great sympathy for Jamaicans who have invested their lives and life savings into businesses that serve tourists. The noise devils are chasing tourists like us and, doubtless, countless others to quieter climes.
My husband's opinion is that Jamaica, like other Caribbean nations, is under 'enemy' attack and should therefore invoke emergency powers to outlaw and seize the offending noise equipment and arrest and punish noisemakers. Given that your economy is beholden to tourist dollars, this is a rational solution. We don't think your leaders or your police realise the noise devils are a direct threat to Jamaica's very existence.
We are, etc.,
HENRY &
GAIL WHITBY
vnetgal@fastmail.fm
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada
