New Saint Lucia Noise Pollution Legislation Coming

Gros Islet MP Kenson Casimir expects new Saint Lucia noise pollution legislation to go before parliament soon for the first reading. Casimir spoke to reporters during Monday’s regular pre-cabinet briefing. “We are certainly hoping that very soon, we will have the final legislation, and of course, we will take it to parliament for first reading,” the Minister of Youth Development and Sports disclosed. Some residents in Casimir’s constituency have persistently complained about noise pollution from bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues in Rodney Bay, thrusting the issue into the national spotlight. The MP told reporters that decibel levels, which did not exist before, are the key part of the proposed new legislation. “This is a new method of measuring, an objective method of measuring noise,” Casimir noted. “Once you get the different decibel levels, that should provide some level of comfort for people to enjoy themselves while at the end of the day not really infringing on the right of others to have some level of peace,” he stated. Casimir observed that some parts of Saint Lucia are dual residence and entertainment areas. As a result, he asserted that there would not always be common ground. Nevertheless, the Minister observed that...