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Loud music outside Cito’s frustrating business owners

Weak law enforcement & legislation to be blamed, says Eugenia O’Neal
Loud music outside Cito’s located in Mill Mall in Road Town, is a nuisance to businesses in the area. Photo: VINO
A resident making a point at the meeting held last evening. Photo: VINO
A resident making a point at the meeting held last evening. Photo: VINO
A resident making a point at the meeting held last evening. Photo: VINO
A resident making a point at the meeting held last evening. Photo: VINO
Morris (left) and Mrs. O'Neal at last evening's meeting. Photo: VINO
Morris (left) and Mrs. O'Neal at last evening's meeting. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The loud music in the vicinity of Cito Chinese restaurant and bar came to the forefront at the Road Town Anti-Crime Group meeting held last evening, May 1, 2012, at the St. Georges Primary school, with several business owners expressing their frustration over the issue.

Julia Dawson of Maria's by the Sea bemoaned the fact that for the last three weekends, someone from her establishment “has had to call the police about the noise coming from the Cito’s Chinese establishment”.

She asked the acting Commissioner of Police David Morris, who spoke at the meeting, what could have been done to get the issue dealt with. Initially, Mr. Morris thought it was the establishment itself that was blasting the music but it was later clarified that the culprits were owners of cars using speakers to create “a nightclub” environment.

Personally, Morris admitted, he was not aware of the situation. However, he asked Mrs. Dawson if she approached Cito’s proprietor in an effort to iron out the problem. She replied no.

Against this backdrop, he asked if she wanted to handle it in a confrontational manner or as a business community. “…all of us are trying to make a buck in the community and as a business group you can all come to some sense of consensus with these issues without having to end up summoning people to court when it could have been dealt with through mediation and discussions,” Morris pointed out.

Weak legislation and weak law enforcement to be blamed for problem – Eugenia O’Neal
Meanwhile, President of the Anti-Crime group Eugenia O'Neal stated that Mr. Morris was losing the point because she was once threatened by a proprietor, who wanted to sue her because she was allegedly harassing him from making money.

“What people don’t seem to understand is that other countries deal with this, and you have legislation. You are starting up a night club, you have to have something. You can’t just park up anywhere and put up speakers. I mean other countries have rules, they have zoning, they have rules about nightclubs and how they are supposed to operate. Our country doesn’t and basically we are left on our own...I am now being told that I have to take this person to court, and if I find myself in court I have no protection from the Government. I have no protection really. The police come and next two weeks it happens again. I have no protection from the authorities. This is a Wild West situation where basically everybody is left to sort things out for themselves. That’s a country that is heading towards a decline and destruction. If I was a different kind of person I know I would have handled that noise. There is weak law enforcement and there is weak legislation, that is the problem we have here,” Mrs. O’Neal bluntly stated.

She also called for a general noise nuisance legislation to target scooter riders and persons who drag race late evenings on the Waterfront drive.

While accepting her sentiments on the topic, Morris said that “we can sit here and lament on the weakness of the laws” and asked the President if she has spoken to any elected officials.

According to her, she sent out email invitations to the Road Town representative, Hon. Mark Vanterpool and to several other Ministers of Government but they "are a no show".

“…they are not here, it’s not elections time .They were all here for elections, we saw them here before the elections when we had the Main Street meetings all of them including the At Large Representatives. They are not here, now the elections are over,” she disclosed.

Head of the Crime Prevention Department, Sergeant Tilda Henry-Lewis informed business owners that there was nothing in the law to punish bar owners and one law enforcement officer suggested that if there was one, the Trade Department could have declined a proprietor renewal license.

For now, all the Police can do is ensure the music is turned down, unless an individual is willing to go to court to address it once and for all.

She added, "some years ago efforts were made to introduce the Noise Abatement Act" but certain challenges were faced.

"They trained police officers but the equipment were never purchased. The equipment was for the officers to use it for persons who have those levels of music in their cars. So we are just sort of going around.”

Likewise, Morris pointed out that noise nuisance in countries is not a policing issue, "it´s an environmental health issue where the enforcers are the environmental health persons themselves.”

37 Responses to “Loud music outside Cito’s frustrating business owners”

  • Noise (02/05/2012, 09:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fully agree that we need decent noise regulations to protect us, it is not just music from late night bars though, some of those religious crusades blaring noise late at night and often in residential areas, that too isnt right.
    • dominant (02/05/2012, 10:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So the festival music blasting, isn't noise.
    • GO SIT DOWN ONEAL (02/05/2012, 10:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      WHAT ARE YOU GUYS TURNING TORTOLA INTO? SOUNDS LIKE SHE WANTS TO BE A FIDEL CASTRO... THESE ARE MODERN TIMES SWEETHEART WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TELLING PEOPLE HOW LOUD THEY CAN PLAY MUSIC IN THERE CAR AND SCOOTERS ARE A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION IN EVERY COUNTRY AND THE NOISE IS ALL THE SAME... GO AND GET A LIFE WOMAN!!!!
      • Noise (02/05/2012, 14:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Modern times and modern countries have noise legislation to protect all citizens, how can you condone people lasting their music in the street late at night, not everyone wants to hear it
        • TO NOISE (02/05/2012, 17:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          TELL ME WHICH COUNTRY YOU KNOW THAT ITS A LAW OR A CRIME THAT PEOPLE CANT PLAY THERE MUSIC LOUD IN THERE CAR ? WHERE ARE YOU FROM WHAT HAPPEN TO THE FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE.... THATS WHY THERE IS GOING TO BE CRIME IN TORTOLA BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE AND THERE IS NOTHING HERE TO DO AS IT IS...
          • kkk (02/05/2012, 17:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            this topic is much to do about nothing...just a few road town snobs who could not afford to more out of the city
          • True (03/05/2012, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            United Kingdom. 11pm. United States. 11pm To name just two directly linked to these islands
      • Proactive (02/05/2012, 16:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Your comment exemplifies ignorance at the highest level. It is obvious you have not traveled out much from the small coop that you live in. It is people like you that is turning our small beautiful islands into a crime ridden, lawless haven that it is becoming.
  • Notes...... (02/05/2012, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not a business owner but that noise is nuisance, people just come and park up there and blast there thunderous rediculus music.
    • Sucks (02/05/2012, 10:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The police should be more stringent is clamping down on those people from down islands
  • ice cream (02/05/2012, 09:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem damm two people always complaining bout every fly dat move...shoot man
    • Customer (02/05/2012, 09:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you. These ppl just needs to stop. A young person literally has little to no life in the BVI and to go out and socialize with others doesn't have to be at Quitos and the famous STRIP CLUBS! How are the businesses affected? Is it from one person's vehicle in the parking lot that plays music? You folks simply needs to lighten up! Such hostility is not called for. I would always love appreciate the Caribbean for its relaxed nature. Leave the people alone!
    • have rights (02/05/2012, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hey those people have rights too ya know!! I think its downright disrespectful
  • Advocate for Justice (02/05/2012, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mrs. Oneal is on the ball. We are too complacent as a people in this place. We dont lobby for important issues or what is beneficial for us. We sit back, point and judge the person/s who have the courage to challenge. That's how things are positively changed and citizens recieve a better life for everyone. I support the comments of Mrs. Oneal and the surrounding proprietors 110.
  • critic (02/05/2012, 10:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    where were the politicians? not one showed up
  • Up-town (02/05/2012, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a noise Abatement Act
  • daddy friday (02/05/2012, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Be fair just because they are Guyanese there by the Chinese restaurant ayo making noise what about when the churches do it????? on the Cruise ship area and the festival grounds site???? Lots of noise and nobody complain…set of hypocrites in this country
  • jokers (02/05/2012, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE FESTIVAL IS FOR EVERYONE TO BENIFIT WHO GETS ANYTHING FROM THESE NINNERS CARNOISE?VI PEOPLE ARE SO STUPID
    • bvi born live in england (02/05/2012, 15:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      how can a place who brags on tourism have so much unwanted noise? and it sounds like some ppl in the country like it....... i really think bvi ppl really stupid ....thats why i live the uk. and aint passing back until government fix lil things like these..... i does say everyday that they running the country for themslef and family..... who vex , vex!!!!
  • Victimofuntouchables (02/05/2012, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Small pain compared to some complainints of residents about noise. This goes on a few nights and weekends. There are some residents in the sixth district and other areas that have to bear the pain of an "industrial" area every single day from early in the morning until late evenings and even on sundays. Not to mention the smell pollution and threat to quaility of life. Is everything in this territory only about what happens in Road Town?
  • Proactive (02/05/2012, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. O’neal, I am elated that the BVI still has people like you that are willing to stand up for our values. Unfortunately, too may B.V. Islanders talk about all the ills of the BVI and only a few stand up and fight for our values and quality of life. She is absolutely correct when she stated “What people don’t seem to understand is that other countries deal with this, and you have legislation.” I am surprise by Morris’ statement “that noise nuisance in countries is not a policing issue, “it´s an environmental health issue where the enforcers are the environmental health persons themselves.” When he said “countries” he must not have meant America. In most states in America the police is called to control loud noises. Maybe in UK that is not the case, but then he should say in the UK not that “in countries is not a policing issue, “ as that is not factual. I would like Mr. Morris to take a more positive proactive approach on this matter as it almost seems like he is shrugging responsibility and blaming the victim. Maybe he should use the Governor as a model and take a more active stand. A few weeks ago I saw the Governor picking up garbage in an effort to keep the BVI clean. Mr. Morris should adapt that attitude of let me roll up my sleeves and get working, as oppose to claiming this is not the police responsibility. I do not understand his comment “if she wanted to handle it in a confrontational manner or as a business community. “”…all of us are trying to make a buck in the community”. Is he saying that in the effort “to make a buck” we should give up our quality of life to loud music and lawlessness? Yes, we have noise at Festival time, but that is set time of the year, for a set period of time to celebrate our emancipation from slavery. Of course we should be allowed to celebrate that very important event with some noise.
  • SMH (02/05/2012, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about hospital and church zones? people with those BOOM system do not study that!! You are in church and the rackets pass sometimes tha pastors have to stop for the music to pass or speak louder over the music. Well lets not talk about the hospital, your are there visiting some one and the drivers pass with with music up full blast!! Oh how can i forget residential neighbourhoods??? No matter what time of the nite or for day morning, drivers have their music up full blast. During the day your are in you office and the buildings, windows and doors are vibrating when these nuisance passes by. You are on the phone with clients and can hardly hear a word from the client. This needs to be address. Someone mention carnival, there is a difference this only going to last for couple days (annually). But the noise from these cars, this is hourly + daily. Now I never, encountered church groups singing pass mid nite or til for day morning. I heard some goes to around 9-10pm. Anyway noise is noise and at a certain time noise in certain areas needs to be contained and done with by a certain/reasonable time/days that benefits both residents and businessess.
  • native son 11 (02/05/2012, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    jeez um bread some of you complain if ah aunt dies.... suckteeth
  • jo jo wants to know (02/05/2012, 17:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    when Fraser was the police commissioner he let his deputy at the time morris attend these kind of public events..now Morris is chief where the hick is his deputy????something wrong with this picture
  • born tola (02/05/2012, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I dont know why everybody picking on them guyanese peoples honestly i dont have a problem wit them playin their music and having fun an when other are doing it people are not complaining so why have a problem and complain about them that why this place would never be right because too much peolple are one side and alway picking of down island people gosh mann leave them dam people alone!!!
  • text (02/05/2012, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    see there we go again another plot to harass the small man a few Guyanese having a beer on a weekend just trying to enjoy themselves in this boring place!!!! what they need to go do is address all the unsolved murders????
  • bbc (02/05/2012, 23:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over the moon wid tis noise ting
  • mamario (03/05/2012, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lady is right - loud music day or night is a nuisance and it has to stop - If you want to listen to loud music get your self an ipod or rollup your window then you can blast your stupid music until you go deaf. Why do others have to listen your nuisance keep it to your self. Believe me it will be a better world if you do. The police should give out ticket to those that ar cought blasting their music.
  • Night Club Phoenix (03/05/2012, 10:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THATS WHY THERE IS GOING TO BE CRIME IN TORTOLA BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE LITTLE ENTERTAINMENT THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE AND THERE IS NOTHING HERE TO DO AS IT IS.
  • one rule (03/05/2012, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    last sunday I hear a load of noise from some preachers and singers coming from festival grounds...go talk bout dem too Nina
  • Callie (12/05/2012, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
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