Jamaican Authorities Warn About Noise Levels And Safety Code At Party Spots
Jamaica’s Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford, is warning Dancehall fans and event promoters to be extremely careful now that they have government’s permission to party into the wee hours of the morning.
According to the Noise Abatement Act an event can now be extended from 2:00 am to 4: 00 am on weekends and from midnight to 2:00 am during the week. The measure will remain in place until January 31, 2020.
Beckford sounded the alarm because he claims the majority of entertainment venues are unfit.
The Commissioner revealed that of 1,019 facilities which were inspected across the island, between January and November, only 140 were able to be certified as ‘fit for use.’
He disclosed the information at a quarterly press briefing of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. There are number of issues with the venues that have been deemed unfit, like a lack of fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors, and exit and emergency signs.
“[There is] the issue of no fire extinguishers; there is no alternative escape route – one way in, one way out. So if there is a fire at that particular entrance, you can imagine what the outcome of that would be because there is no other means of escape,” he said.
In addition to that he said some venues have no alternative exits, on either the ground or upper floors, and in some cases, the alternative exits were blocked. Beckford said for example that of the 308 recorded places of amusement in Kingston, only 38 or 12 percent are certified as fit for hosting events.
Beckford further added that many persons were being injured or even dying because of the widespread flouting of safety regulations.
He also explained another challenge that the Brigade was facing was building owners not following up on the requirements to have their place certified.
“One of the issues that we have also observed is that persons will take the necessary steps to implement the measures as recommended, but the final process to get full certified, they would not have taken that final step, which is to come into our office, pay the requisite fee, and we issue them with a certificate to say, ‘Yes, you’re compliant’. So in some instances, persons are compliant, but the fact is they don’t take that final step to get that certificate.”
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie in response said that a high-level meeting would be held to discuss stricter punishment for those who transgress the building codes.
Meanwhile the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) also issued a warning to organizers of entertainment events. Head of the Community Safety and Security Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ealan Powell, said that even though an extension has been granted, an event can still be shut down if amplified sound can be heard more than 100 metres from the venue.
“Once the sound is audible beyond 100 metres, the (sound system) can be and will be turned off by the police and it can also be seized. Promoters can be charged and taken to court.
“So whilst there is an extension in time, there is no change in the distance that the sound should be audible, so if you are disturbing your neighbour you will be shut down,” he warned.
Head of the Constabulary Communications Unit (CCU), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay advised event promoters that they still needed to go through the regular process of application for permits. “They are still required to make their applications to the superintendent in charge of the parish or division at least 10 days before the event so as to ensure that there is adequate time to process these applications. Otherwise, they may find that they invest and are not able to carry out the function,” she noted.