Loud music is our culture and if you don’t like it, leave. That summed up the sentiment of many of those who spoke at a public meeting called by Sen. Craig Barshinger on St. John’s noise issue.
“We’re Caribbean people. We can hear the music and still sleep,” Grasshopper Pickering said.
More than 150 people attended the meeting held in the covered parking lot of the new Legislature building in Cruz Bay.
Although several people at the meeting had complained to the Source about the recent spate of loud music in Coral Bay, none stood up to have their say.
“I was aware due to the passion level of some of the proponents of unlimited noise that some who came to the meeting desiring to have more quiet times were uncomfortable standing up and speaking,” Barshinger said after the meeting.
The meeting turned raucous several times with those at the meeting trying to shout down Deputy Police Chief Darren Foy and Barshinger or yelling their approval of the speaker’s remarks.
Foy was the only government official other than Barshinger to attend. Barshinger said Licensing Commissioner Wayne Biggs was invited but he called two hours before the meeting started to say that he was busy on St. Croix.
While the police have the job of enforcing the law, Licensing makes decisions on the licenses given to the businesses who want to play music.
Barshinger stressed that the law as written with its limit of 75 decibels must be amended because it’s too low. And the only way to measure the level is with decibel meters, Barshinger and Foy said. Foy said that while the Police Department has the meters on hand, the trainer told him that he can’t train officers to use them because the law is too vague.
“It doesn’t say where the officer is supposed to be when he measures the sound,” Foy said.
Foy also said that he would not sign any permits giving businesses the okay to play music until 4 a.m.
According to Foy, his officers visit a business when the Police Department gets a complaint. He said they ask the business to turn down the music but do not shut them down. He also noted that as the law is now written, nightclubs must be enclosed.
Most of the speakers – many were on the young side – seemed to feel that turning down the music was not an option for them.
Others said that they were not retirees or on vacation so they weren’t willing to put their lives on hold so people could rest.
“They have to adjust to us,” one woman said.
Wasi Philbert called the meeting a dog and pony show.
“We need a common sense law,” he said.
While music was the main topic, two people stood up to complain about vacationers at nearby villas making loud noise while in the pool late at night. One of those people said he called the police when those vacationers complained about his saxophone playing at 6:30 a.m.
Barshinger said people can comment on noise issues at [email protected].
Phillip Pickering
I don’t understand why whenever I speak either Lynda Lohr or the editor of this publication always seem to slant what I’ve said. As usual only the sensationalized stuff is shared. I remember a few years back when she said I was inciting violence on Island. Well I think whoever is doing this is doing a heck of a job by themselves! Let me set the record straight. I never said loud music was acceptable. I say it here again for the benefit of those absent. I do have a reputation to protect and slanting what I say really pisses me off! Open venue music is a Caribbean lifestyle. Tourist come here for the culture. Not many I know come here to sleep. Many of the people that call St. John their home now I once saw at Fred’s, Sputniks or at some fish fry dancing right along with us. (I did say this, yet there is no mention of that) Yet today these are the same people who came back bought property, built a home and now find the need to complain. First off, calling our music noise is very insulting.
I never said “We’re Caribbean people. We can hear the music and still sleep,” (I said I do!!!!) I also said most foundation venues are located within a very short distance from churches but traditionally have never had a problem being disturbed. They work together. For example on Good Friday, Ash Wednesday etc. there is no music anywhere. So this should not even be an issue. I’m one who do feel “if the music really disturbs you that much you are free to leave!” (This I did say) If I went to Florida, Illinois, Kansas, etc. and decided to change anything the folks did there culturally, I’d be run out of town. It’s their “thing”. Who am I to change it. If It bothered me on a regular basis, I would migrate elsewhere!
I do agree a 4:00am license should not be permitted except around Carnival, Christmas, etc., but be real, having one night per week of disturbance should not be bothering anyone. Live with it! (This I did say) A 2:00 cut off time is reasonable with the last hour metered. There are venues who have entertainment nightly, their volume should be metered after 10:00pm during weekdays! The elderly still live in the heart of the towns. Weekend I think all would agree these venues should be able to go until 2:00am and metered after 12:00am. However, getting the right decibel level should be defined properly. A 75 degree decibel rating is just stupid! Regular conversation is higher than this! The law is so vague it needs to be thrown out and redone! Once corrected venue owners can check sound levels themselves at designated locations at specified times. They themselves would be required to purchase a meter. I have seen this done may places stateside. Yes I agree there needs to be some sort of common ground where we both can live in harmony with each other. You can’t open a guest house next to two open bars and don’t soundproof your establishment!! You met the other guys there first!
Give the police a law that works for everyone and then they can enforce it. Right now it seems loud music level is subject to the officers opinion and judgment. Kudos to Officer Foy and his staff for doing an outstanding job with what tools they have to work with. Let’s get the law repealed and lets do it right so it works for everyone! Folks work hard and need their rest. Others work hard all week and feel the need to relieve some stress. Take this away and the tension will grow.
So please Lynda, report what I have spoken or see me personally for my opinion and clarification after meetings I attend. Change will come and I fully expect it. We better be very careful what changes we make and how it affects everyone. I’m sure you saw the crowd and the anger just as I did. Still think I’m inciting violence? I just share what I’m hearing. You just need to know where I stand before it goes to print. You need a tape recorder and choose not only the bad points that sells papers but also the good ideas. Stop being so one sided and report fairly. Enough is enough