For the last three years people have been writing in the papers about the desperate and disgraceful situation we have to endure, caused by loud, unbearable disco sounds till 4am and sometimes even later in the morning, with Saturday and Sunday morning seeming to be the loudest.

Each summer of every year we experience this madness.

I am convinced a licence was not given to these establishments for this terrible all-night beat of drums; the disco owners must have added more power to the sound after the licence was approved!

I live more than a mile away, but the noise is so loud that it just does not let you sleep at all. I do not think that those patronizing these places are aware what health hazard they are exposing themselves to.

We are told that cigarettes and alcohol kill, but strong and loud vibrations of sound do damage too! Is there no one responsible to pay surprise visits and check the level of the sound to which these kids are being exposed?

Early last Sunday morning I felt so bad, after having been awake all night, that at 3.30 I called the Rabat police station; no one picked up the phone so I dialled 191 and was told by a policewoman: “I’ll see what I can do”. At 4.05 I called again and a policeman who answered asked: “Is he still playing music?” to which I replied: “I should not be asked that question, but told what action has been taken.” Considering how prompt the police force was to clear a handful of protestors when the Israel ambassador was here and the same police muscle used during the Sette Giugno celebrations with another handful of protestors, all with the excuse that it’s the duty of the police to keep peace and order.

What peace are these disco outlets giving to all those living in old people homes in Rabat, in Mount Carmel Hospital, the people living in Dingli, Rabat, Zebbug, Attard, Siggiewi, who have to put up with the all night beat.

It would be interesting if the police issued a statement indicating how many complaints were received from locals in these areas. I am aware that the police have received quite a few and would like to know what action has been taken.

Last year, myself and others personally delivered a petition to the President, the Prime Minister, Commissioner of Police, and others, begging that these outlets reduce the noise because people living within a wide radius of these entertainment outlets cannot sleep because of it, and at least turn down the sound after 1am. Sound has no boundaries, and distance depends on the way the wind blows, most of the time it is heard in a wider area of villages. The results of our effort to bring it to the attention of all the highest authorities came to nothing, humba, zilch, zero, xejn!

Sometimes I wonder whether the Tourism Authority has moved the goalposts. What happened to the so-called ‘first class tourists’, the golf course type? Are we after kids to get their heads blown with loud sounds and alcohol, something they can do in their country because of their age? These modern day cowboys with lots of money, our modern aristocrats that no one can control, is it not possible that the police force, which was out in force chasing a handful of demonstrators, can tell these modern business men that enough is enough. These are the rules!

Yes sir, we know nothing has been done in our area by politicians, we only make contact on a personal basis at election time, but surely they must have read their constituents plea. Why is it that there seem to be no moral fibre and will to settle this matter? Is it because money talks?

Joe Vella

ZEBBUG