Never this invasion of home again

By Jill Otway (For The Residents)
| Fri, August 10, 2012 - 12:00 AM

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The time:1:30 a.m. approximately. Date: Tuesday, July 31.

An ominous aura has manifested itself over the residential area surrounding the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, as gigantic speakers are set in place on the Hockey Astroturf. The tests commence with practice notes and voices openly declaring their power over the peaceful residents of Regency and Elizabeth Park, Sargeants Village, Upton, Fort George Heights and many other populated areas even farther.

As musical signs and abbreviations were mutilated by the voices that appeared to be testing the levels and decibels, residents started a phone trialthlon to the police as the terror of the night ahead became a reality. Stage lights and a large audience were soon in place and the Soca Titans commenced in all their glory as the day transformed into night.

The police were swamped with questions, being approached civilly in some cases, but rudely and aggressively as well, and tempers flared in frustration.

With volume raised, the gigantic speakers spewed music, MC’s announcements and the awful vulgarity of those who obviously do not see the necessity for portraying decency. How sad for the youth of our country in particular!

At 1:30 a.m. when taking a call the pleasant police voice informed the caller that she was number 90! The police then have to do the dirty work and break the news to the callers that this invasion of their homes would continue though the night until the morning of August 1, ending at 5 a.m.

The police stated that there was nothing further that they could do to help, seeing that the permission had been given for this event to take place by the police themselves.

We would like to acknowledge that the police too must have had to exercise much patience with the frustrated callers. We thank them for the care they took in answering the same questions over and over.

Let it be known by all that the residents are certainly not against the Soca Titans displaying their talents, but out concern is directed to the bad choice of the venue.

We think it is only fitting for the general public to know our objections and concerns. The decibels were such that many residents could not even hear their television sets which were in front of them. Some closed the windows of their house in an effort to cope, while others left their premises to spend the night at their friends’ houses.

We listened to the rattle of the glassware and experienced the vibrations as the very foundation of our houses rocked with the noise (no insult intended here to our singers). Some residents were unable to leave their homes as the traffic congestion was so serious.

For some patrons, eager to get to the show parked anywhere they could, blocking entrances and caring not of their own noise level in the neighbourhood.

Clearly, parking facilities are inadequate in the area of the Astroturf for a crowd of the magnitude of that patronizing the Soca Titans on July 31.

We hope there will never be a repetition of such a selfish act and invasion of the privacy of our homes. All we ask is that we are treated with respect as we endeavour to enjoy the tranquility of our homes, which we have worked so hard to acquire.