Harassment means any source of inconvenience or annoyance. Noise pollution is unwanted, disturbing or excessive noise that interferes with daily activity or the ordinary comfort of human or animal life. According to Chapter 35:05 of the Environmental Management Act, no person shall produce or emit noise in a volume or intensity greater than the “prescribed standard”, i.e. the maximum permissible sound pressure levels. The management protocol describes the proposed rule change as “the most significant change” to the RPS. In addition, the current rules are described as “impracticable” and the “limited number” of special reserve officers seconded to the EMA`s Environmental Police Unit (EPU) is mentioned. It should be noted that only 20 UEP officials are responsible for monitoring and responding to noise complaints in Trinidad, while Tobago has only four (4). Excessive noise is against the law and can lead to pollution/noise nuisance. However, if a person or organization intends to organize or facilitate an event or activity using amplified noise that may contravene the prescribed noise standards, an application for modification of the noise must be submitted to the Environment Agency. Two years ago, a webinar participant talked about calling the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to solve the problem of bars bringing musical carts on a main thoroughfare in the west of the country, only to learn that nothing could be done because the perpetrators had obtained noise change permits (permission to exceed prescribed noise limits) from the EMA. We remind all candidates of their responsibility to act within prescribed limits and to be civic and accountable to their communities, understanding the harmful effects of noise pollution. Tewarie also pointed out to the participant that the variation in noise does not preclude the application of the Summary Crimes Act, which can be enforced by the TTPS. However, noise fluctuations fall under the Summary Crime Act, which police can enforce with fines of up to TTD 1,500 (about $220) or a six-month jail sentence, but the law is also somewhat vague as it defines noise as anything that disturbs surrounding residents without specifying exactly what noise levels are acceptable.
Matthew Jardim, who was part of the EMA`s Emergency Response and Investigations Unit at the time of the webinar, added that the best thing to do is to “contact your nearest police station for immediate help.” Any action the EMA can take in such situations, he explained, is “generally retroactive,” meaning investigations are conducted after the potential violation has already occurred. The EMA may then file an infringement report if its investigations reveal a violation of the noise variation or noise standard prescribed for the area. Another participant recounted an experience when he called the Fyzabad police station about the noise of a bar, only to learn that “the owner of the bar says that his noise is not loud and that they do not have a device to measure the volume of the sound”. The EMA recently announced that it would no longer be involved in noise variation applications for fireworks, as it was difficult to regulate them. Since noise measurement is carried out with a sound level meter, it is easier to assess whether it is continuous and whether its origin can be measured from a coherent fixed point. Individual fireworks are short-lived and can be fired from different points, but some social media users have interpreted the movement as “just another way to pass the buck.” In addition, the administrative protocol notes that the majority of complaints it receives from the public about pollution are noise-related. During an EMA webinar, which took place on 28. Covered by Cari-Bois News in July 2020, several participants shared their experience of contacting authorities to report noise complaints, only to be walked around by government employees who were either dismissive, misinformed, or overwhelmed. Matthew Jardim of the EMA`s Emergency Response and Investigation Unit pointed out to more than one participant that the EMA does not have the legislative authority to address certain types of noise, particularly vehicle noise.
He pointed out to the public that in all cases where noise is a nuisance, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) can take action under section 70 of the Summary Crimes Act without access to noise meters. “Citizens` support is needed to act responsibly and respectfully towards their neighbours and communities, bearing in mind that noise pollution is harmful to all,” the EMA said. EMA: Noise pollution is not necessary for a successful event The EMA has faced a lot of public criticism and is sometimes perceived as being better at speaking than acting. Apparently, factors such as mobility or the nature of a noise source can completely shift the responsibility for handling a noise complaint away from the EMA, and although it has special reserve officers seconded to the Environmental Police Unit (EPU) who are empowered to take action against noise caused by bars and nightclubs, it does not have legislative power. to solve problems such as noisy vehicles. Speakers and fireworks. The EMA explained the importance of the change: “Reducing the delay in monitoring noise levels is an important step in the fight against noise pollution, as it increases the EMA`s ability to monitor more events and activities on a given day and generate noise level measurements with greater efficiency.” Students at the Hugh Wooding Law School Human Rights Law Clinic each had the opportunity to write an article for the “Law Made Simple” column in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper. These topics ranged from the analysis of specific laws to general legal concepts. The purpose of this exercise was to teach students how to write about complex legal issues for the average newspaper reader. The EMA`s position was that in such situations, the public should “remind” police of their legislative obligations under the Summary Conviction Offences Act, which “clearly states that the police have primary jurisdiction over noise, particularly truck noise.” Most street events in Trinidad and Tobago – from carnival to election campaigns – are accompanied by music trucks that exceed approved and safe decibel levels. However, it has been said that a whole-of-society approach is crucial to effectively tackle noise pollution. The webinar on noise pollution was the second part of the EMA`s knowledge series.
The third edition, which will be streamed live from the EMA`s Facebook page, will take place on August 25 from 1pm to 2pm on “Fireworks Use – A Discussion on the EMA`s Survey Results”. UPR police officer Charles intervened, saying a police officer “can tackle the problem of noise without an instrument.” Another EMA representative revealed that the agency is considering a digital solution that will allow the public to quickly determine whether a particular event has received EMA approval for noise fluctuations.