Tropicana Bar, residents at odds over noise nuisance
Residents of the area around the Tropicana Hotel and Bar located at lot 177 Waterloo Street are complaining about the level of the noise which emanates from that establishment. The establishment is listed under `Discotheques' in the yellow pages of the 2000 edition of the telephone directory and is operated by Joseph Matadin who told Stabroek News that he recently began doing so. Letters from residents in the neighbourhood have claimed that the night spot was causing them great inconvenience and annoyance especially in an area which has traditionally been residential. Stabroek News made an unannounced visit to the area of worry last Saturday afternoon where the only visible activity was the stocking of drinks. A similar trip to the location at around 2230 hrs that evening observed evidence of activity. However, from the vicinity of Middle and Waterloo streets the sounds of a rock band could be heard clearly above those emitting from the Tropicana. Stabroek News had earlier spoken to the proprietor of the outfit by telephone, who acknowledged that a disco was being operated on the premises but this was restricted to Saturday nights only. He had pointed out that his equipment was small and was never played to cause annoyance. Matadin stated that he had been visited by ranks from the Guyana Police Force who were satisfied with the level of his music and were amazed that his place was being targeted since other places in the vicinity made more noise. The businessman reminded Stabroek News that his musical equipment had been seized during the police's Onslaught On Noise campaign and he had had to go through the procedure of getting a licence to allow music and dancing on the site. This procedure required him to apply to the Mayor and City Council, following which the premises was visited and inspected to see if it was suitable. He then had to apply to the court for approval of the licence which had to be signed by the chief magistrate. Apart from this, Matadin said, he, being an elderly person and one who did not appreciate loud music, had turned his speakers in the direction of the nearby Parade Ground and even placed tarpaulin at the sides so that the sound would not affect his neighbours with whom he wanted to live peacefully. The licence under which the music system is operated allows it to be played until 0300 hrs, but according to the proprietor he constantly reduces the level of the music as the wee hours of the morning approach. He also mentioned that he catered for mature persons at his establishment since they appreciated the type of music he offered and were less likely to be involved in disturbances of the peace. The businessman said he had been contacted by neighbours, one of whom was constantly abusive and used indecent language when they communicated. One resident claimed in a letter to Stabroek News that many of them had been living in the area for between 25-40 years without complaints, but were now being exposed to unbearable levels of annoyance. In a subsequent letter to this newspaper, the residents, while thanking it for highlighting their cause which they said had acted to temper the frequent music, stated that they were now bothered by the noise on Saturdays. (Oscar P. Clarke)
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