By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
As the end of year festivities set in, there has been a growing concern over the rate of noise pollution in Freetown. In response to this the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has announced a plan to cut down on the rate of noise during this December festivities. This announcement was done during the government’s weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Al- Shek Kamara, said they were launching a new operation to tackle several problems that the public faces during this period. The operation is code named WAIL - Working Against Indiscipline and Lawlessness, he said.
The operation aims at tackling problems like noise causing acts, violation of the Liquor and License Act, drunk driving and gang violence, among others.
To implement it the police is pleading for the collaboration of communities.
During the month of December, groups and individuals are used to organizing shows and carnivals all across the city. Even though these events are organized for merriment purposes, other members of the public have complained about the level of noise that is often generated. An elderly woman in the central part of Freetown bitterly complained that the level of the sound blast from the music sets and the blasting of fire crackers is very disturbing and said police should find a way to stop that.
With such concerns, said Inspector Kamara, the SLP will be reinforcing the Public Order Act of 1965, with special reference to Section 3 which deals with noise causing. He said people should not enjoy at the expense of the comfort of others.
Carnival and show organizers maybe be concerned over this arrangement by the police. But Deputy Inspector General Kamara said they are willing to show flexibility. He said may decide not to shutdown bars and pubs by after 11pm as per law as long as their operations do not annoy others.
With reference to the growing spate of gang violence in the city, the police chief assured the public that operation WAIL was bound to adres it.
However, with previous experience, when despite such pronouncement by the SLP things have gone bad, it is just a matter of wait and see for peace-loving Sierra Leoneans.
(C) Politico 10/12/15
