The Royal Grenada Police Force reminds operators of places of amplified instruments that the Noise Control Act of 2006 outlines procedures, expectations and conditions in applying for and operating loudspeakers or amplified musical instruments.
In recent times, there has been increasing reports of noise being reported to various police stations within the various Policing Districts emanating from amplified instruments.
1. Section 18 indicates that written permission MUST be obtained from the Commissioner of Police by any person desirous of operating such instruments where it is reasonably likely to cause disturbance to residents, or to cause a nuisance to persons in the vicinity
2. Operators MUST adhere to the conditions and restrictions attached to the permission granted by the Commissioner of Police. Some of these conditions WILL include hours of operation, venue of operation, name of person(s) who should operate, and level/volume of noise at which they should operate.
NB: OBTAINING WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO OPERATE A LOUDSPEAKER OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO OPERATE THESE INSTRUMENTS IN A MANNER THAT SERVES AS A DISADVANTAGE TO OTHERS. IN ADDITION, THE POLICE RESERVE DISCRETION IN REVOKING THE PERMISSION WHERE COMPLAINTS ARE MADE OF UNREASONABLE DISTURBANCES.
Where formal complaints are made to the Police the following process can be followed in bringing perpetrators to court; i) Oral warning, ii) Written warning, iii) Confiscation of instruments for court proceedings.
Office of Commissioner of Police
