During the weekend of November 22-23, personnel from the Inspectorate of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), conducted noise controls on several establishments in the Philipsburg and surrounding areas.
Several roadside bars and a beach bar & restaurant were visited and noise levels were measured using a digital noise level meter.
This device is able to measure the decibel level of noise being emitted from a source. In this case, the source of the noise is the speakers playing music belonging to an establishment.
In one case, personnel from the Inspectorate got the cooperation of a resident to take measurements from within their home in order to ascertain the decibel level of music coming from a nearby bar exceeded the acceptable level.
The Inspectorate has stepped up its controls of businesses regarding noise complaints and has responded to several complaints from the public about businesses, in particular bars and restaurants, which play music at unacceptably high levels.
The Inspectorate would like to advise all bar and restaurant owners to abide by the conditions within their permit in terms of the acceptable decibel level for playing music as permit conditions will be strictly enforced.
Business owners and the public in general are also encouraged to review the Enforcement Policy of the Ministry TEATT which covers enforcement steps for various types of activities and businesses.
This can be found on the official website of the Government of Sint Maarten www.sintmaartengov.org., under the Government tab, and then click on Ministry TEATT and then Ministry Polices and Reports.
Complaints and enquiries regarding noise and any other control and enforcement activities of the Ministry TEATT can be emailed to IDEZ.Inquiries@sintmaartengov.org or call 542-4509 for further information.