PETITION TO: 

THE PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVE FOR GROS ISLET 

 And THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 

We, the undersigned residents of Rodney Bay, Reduit and Rodney Heights would like to express our total dissatisfaction with the regular occurrence of excessive noise coming from the various bars and restaurants who play music on a daily basis, way into the hours of the morning.

It IS NOT our intention that anyone should be deprived of a living, nor do we desire that any business should fail or be closed down.  Indeed, many of us have invested in Air BnB properties to support the growing tourism sector and of course, expect to reap the rewards of our investments in the same way as the bar and restaurant owners do. However, we are resolute in our position that as area residents we also are entitled to the peace and quiet of our homes, our children- the right to study undisturbed, our sick and elderly to rest and recuperation and our guests to experience our island in peace and comfort. Most of us work regular hours and need a good night’s sleep to be productive, so it seems unfair that we should be willing to meet the businesses halfway but that they show absolutely no consideration for our plight or our pleas. Some things must change. 

Many of us have lived here long before the Rodney Bay strip became the entertainment centre of the area. When we built, there were covenants in place which spoke to residents not creating nuisances (especially noise) for each other or the neighbourhood in general. Has this caveat been sacrificed on the altar of zoning and entertainment for tourists?  Contrarily, our experience suggests that while tourists are happy to venture into the various bars etc. they too want to retire to their hotel rooms to rest and recover so that one is unlikely to find them out in droves after 1.00 am. Indeed, Hotels understand this well and consequently shut down all forms of entertainment by 1.00 a.m.  

We are totally against the hosting of large public events at open spaces within our neighbourhood, that result in music being played way above the internationally acceptable decibel levels and in DJs shouting crude, insulting and profane language to arouse their audiences. 

By way of this petition, we are asking therefore that the following steps be taken: 

1.    No more issuing of carte blanche permits to establishments to play “loud music” until 2.00 a.m. We are recommending that permits articulate that the music must be turned down from 11.00 p.m. and then be turned off completely at 2.00 a.m. Exceptions can be made for special occasions such as New Years Eve and Carnival   However, Bass levels should always be controlled.

2.    Even without decibel legislation, owners of entertainment centres should be mandated to download a decibel app to their mobile phones to assist them in managing the sound levels emanating from their speakers. Internationally accepted limits range from 80-85 dBA as measured at the speaker and should not be exceeded.

3.    That area police be instructed to make period patrols to spot check “loud music” licences- in the same way they do with Drivers’ licences etc, monitor noise levels and rebuke those who refuse to comply, or charge them if applicable under the appropriate noise legislation. 

4.    No more permits be given to organizations to host public, open air events in Rodney Bay & surroundings which require amplification and excessive noise. We recommend that alternative venues such as the Pigeon Island National Park, be considered. There, no one would be disturbed, and the events will provide additional revenue for the Trust.  

5.    That Government move speedily to legislate controls which will govern the use of loud outdoor entertainment and force establishments who wish to play music above accepted levels, to do so within the confines of an enclosed space which must be soundproofed, as was Lucifer’s in years gone by. This will assist not only the residents of Rodney Bay and its surroundings but can begin to rein in a problem which plagues the entire country where accepted noise levels are surpassed.