The Editor, Sir:

It is with some amusement (albeit a bitter one) that I take the news of the police's ban on 'shows' at the Constant Spring Golf Club because of the noise pollution and its effect on the people who reside in the surrounding communities.

The hypocrisy of such a move is not lost on me and I wonder why not such consideration is made when other communities are affected? I make reference to the 2007 J'ouvert celebration and the effects on the residents of Trafalgar Park, Lady Musgrave Road, Hope Road, New Kingston and other areas. One of the 'organisers' was quoted in one of the daily newspapers as saying "We must die to get to heaven" in response to questions regarding the defacing of properties and other inconveniences to the majority who do not seek to "get on bad", but would rather exercise our right to a peaceful night's sleep as citizens of this country. In short he suggested that sacrifices have to be made in the quest for entertainment. I wonder why those in the areas surrounding the Golf Club do not agree when the shoe is on the other foot?

The police's 'efficiency' in dealing with the noise pollution should extend to all communities and in so doing eliminate the possibility of a recurrence of this situation when on calling the police to ascertain the reason why I was unceremoniously awakened by thunderous noise and windows and doors rattling, I was told by the corporal at the New Kingston Police Post, that there is nothing he can do ( not even requesting that the volume be turned down!) as the 'bigger heads are out there'.

Believe me I saw them permitting their police cars to be used as props for the staging of gyrations and acrobatics while they sought to 'protect and serve' those who disturb babies, the indigent and even the able-bodied in the wee hours of the morning!

"Same knife weh stick goat stick sheep!" End the selectivity of enforcing the Noise Abatement Act. The right to a peaceful night's rest is a right and not a privilege.

I am, etc.,

KARLENE POWELL

Kingston 5