Ghettoization of Urban Spaces Amidst Night Noise

There is a special place in hell for the promoters of night noise, as well as for those who facilitate them in creating havoc on the lives of law abiding citizens. We live in a lawless country rife with corruption and indiscipline. The concerns of the average, unconnected individuals are rarely addressed. It is the concerns of the powerful and political connected which takes precedence. Our priorities have gone berserk. Those who advocate for promoters to have more hours to torture residents within earshot of the music are selfish and inconsiderate. They live in safe communities in which they can enjoy the comfort of their homes. While the others of us are subjected to the nastiness and derogatory lyrics of this genre of music called dancehall. It is now 2:04 am, Sunday, December 22 and the music across our home has awakened me. I have a pounding headache which has elevated my blood pressure. Research indicates that noise pollution may cause sleeping disorders and heart problems. My elderly mother is awake too due to the sound system which continues to belch out excessive and lewd lyrics permeating every corner of the house. No one cares!  Sometimes, one gets the feeling that we are targeted and that someone wants to drive us from the community. This torture occurs daily, however, Fridays and Saturdays are the worst. Patrons block our driveway and they take over the road, which by the way is a public thoroughfare. This is not a real place.  The United Nations has seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, one of which is Goal number 11 which addresses the issue of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. However, with this scourge of night noise plaguing residents all across urban spaces Jamaica is not doing well at making our cities inclusive. It appears that our human settlements are exclusive for a segment of the population. That sub-group to which I refer includes promoters and advocates of night noise. Life is rather unfair! You work hard and purchase a house, however, you are unable to feel safe or enjoy the comfort of your home. Sadly, for the most part these violations of our human rights to sleep are State sanctioned. Yes, Jamaica has a Noise Abatement Act which was passed in 1997. Under the Noise Abatement Act, the cut-off time for events is midnight during the week and 2 am on weekends. However, for the Christmas season, the law is to be temporarily amended to allow persons two more hours to have public events such as parties, meetings or church events. What we now have is the cut off time during the week is 2 am and on weekend it's 4 am. There are so many important legislations which need amending but for unfathomable reason this is the one our politicians choose. Ironically, the Noise Abatement Act which was touted as a tool for public order is now seen by many as the opposite, public disorder. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11, report states substantial progress has been made in reducing the proportion of the global urban population living in slums, though more than 1 billion people continue to live in such situations. Urgent action is needed to reverse the current situation, which sees the vast majority of urban residents breathing poor-quality air and having limited access to transport and open public spaces. With the areas occupied by cities growing faster than their populations, there are profound repercussions for sustainability.

Reclaiming Public Order

Immediate action is required to rescue citizens who are subjected to day and night noise all across the length and breadth of Jamaica. Those who advocated for the changes in the Act speak about the income generated from entertainment. Little concern is given to the impact on people’s health due to inadequate sleep and the corresponding link to low productivity at work. If you are up most of the night due to night noise you clearly are going to lethargic and sleepy at work. There must be a balance in this narrative. Jamaica has a problem with urban decay and one solution to ridding the society of this social ill is by bringing some order to the disorder which now exists in the society. Until our Parliamentarians are subjected to the same rules we will continue to see legislation skewed to particular lobby and interest groups while the others of us suffer. If we are not careful what we will see happening is the total ghettoization of the country. The time to reclaim law and order in the Jamaican society is now. We elect governments to safeguard the public order of the society. A society cannot achieve sustainable development in an atmosphere of public disorder; much more work is required for us to achieve development for all our people. In the powerful words of Michelle Obama, you should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it is important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.

waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo

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#ghettoization #urbanization #SDG11 #Jamaica