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JAMAICA: National Security Minister Proposes Review of Noise Abatement Act

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#Kingston, November 18, 2019 – Jamaica – National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, is suggesting a review of the Noise Abatement Act to take into consideration the introduction of policy that balances public order and engagements in the entertainment industry.

Speaking at a Jamaica Music Society seminar at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Friday (November 15), Dr. Chang said any revision to legislative framework would have to take into account activities which run virtually on a 24-hour basis, citing resort areas as an example where this obtains.

“The Noise Abatement Act, while necessary in terms of public order, was structured beyond what it should be. It also became a law-enforcement tool, which was a wrong concept; and that’s what’s causing the problem today,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that when the law came into effect in 1997, persons were largely working eight hours per day, from Monday to Friday.  The Minister said, however, that this scenario has changed, and the Act must reflect that shift.

Dr. Chang pointed out that when persons apply for entertainment permits, the police should be consulted early, rather than stipulations in the law requiring 10-days notification before events are staged.  He said that under the current arrangement, the police can turn down an application, even where other stakeholder regulatory authorities have approved events and applicants have initiated arrangements to stage their engagements.

“What I am seeking to do is to take discretion away from [the] police officers,” the Minister stated.

Noting that entertainment generates significant employment and income, Dr. Chang said the new policy would seek to articulate certain stipulations which are accommodating to all concerned.

“The policy is intended to restore a sense of balance and structure in the industry, and to ensure that the Noise Abatement Act is a process to maintain public order, and not punish entertainers,” he added.

Under the Act, any person who intends to operate any specified equipment to provide music for dancing or any other form of entertainment in a public space, in circumstances where such music is deemed likely to disturb any person occupying or residing in any private premises within the vicinity, such person shall submit a written application to the Superintendent of Police in charge of the Division in which the activity is slated to be held, for permission to do so, no later than 10 clear days before the date on which the proposed event is to be held.

Where the law is contravened, on first offence, an offender pays a fine not exceeding $15,000 or serves prison term not exceeding three months.

For a second offence, they can be fined up to $30,000, or be imprisoned for six months. For a subsequent office, they can be fined up to $50,000 or 12 months.   Additionally, the Court may, upon the application of the prosecution, order the forfeiture of the specified equipment used in the commission of the offence.

Contact: Garfield L. Angus

Release: JIS

Photo Caption:

Header: National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (centre), makes a point during a Jamaica Music Society (JMS) music seminar at the Spanish Court Hotel, in New Kingston on Friday (November 15). Others (from left) are: JMS General Manager, Evon Mullings (left); and Senior Director at the Ministry of Culture, Gender and Sport, Gillian Wilkinson-McDaniel.

Insert: National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (right), in discussion with Chairman of the Jamaica Music Society (JMS), Danny Brownie, while at a JMS seminar at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Friday (November 15).

Photos by Michael Sloley

Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Caribbean News

Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

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Caribbean News

Supreme Court Closed for Easter

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NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

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