It is 43 minutes past midnight and I am forced to sit up in my bed and type out this letter. The bass of an open-air disco at Gianpula has been drilling into my head for the past five or six hours. I am amazed at how passive the police in the area are. If I can hear the noise and see the extreme light pollution from Dingli, I guess even police in police stations in the area can.

I wish to make a point about Malta and noise pollution. Noise pollution seems to be such a non-issue for many. The streets are cluttered with noisy, modified cars whose “silencers” are replaced by licensed outlets. Those who appreciate peace and quiet have to put up with party revellers at the weekend and insane bass

frequencies. What is worse is that the police do not enforce the law on their own initiative, or simply couldn’t give a damn as to what their civic duty consists of.

Sadly, therefore, my plea will have to be directed to the lethargic political bodies. When can one enjoy the sound of silence on this island? It does not really take much legislation and can easily be dealt with but, like the police, they don’t give a damn. They are too concerned about their summer holidays.

Malta is so polluted by light at night that it has become difficult to even see the stars, and it is plagued by noise night and day. Even though not much importance is given to this, both light and noise pollution, as well as affecting us, also affect our fauna. If the Gonzi government were serious about the environment and environmental issues, it would legislate on noise pollution and enforce it. Of course it is not because there has been enough time to take action!

The government could actually cash in on this form of pollution because it is rampant. The basics are there, it just needs more specific regulations and proper enforcement. It would also be a welcome change if councils took the initiative of passing by-laws as these could be enforced within a very short period.

Unfortunately, I think the police are not really concerned. Therefore, if you pass the buck to the wardens, they may do it better.

Lisa Galea

DINGLI