The EMPD calls for community members to be considerate when playing loud music or any other form of noise disturbance, especially in residential areas.
Kobeli Mokheseng, EMPD media liaison officer, said the infringement of the by-law is commonly known as ‘Disturbance of the Peace’.
Mokheseng said when coming to noise disturbance, especially in a residential area, there is never a good time to do it.
“Residents or businesses need not be selfish. There may be elderly people in the area, people working night shift or young children and babies,” said Mokheseng.
Disturbance of the peace reports in Bedfordview goes through the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EMS) call centre, where it will be dispatched as a noise complaint to the south-end region.
Mokheseng said thereafter an EMPD officer will respond to the relevant area.
“Once officers arrive and find there is a live band, or loud speakers, the officers will first verbally ask the owners to lower the music,” said Mokheseng.
He said the officers will not leave straight away and will monitor the area to ensure the disturbance does not persist.
“If the music continues, the owners will get a second warning, in the form of a written notice,” said Mokheseng.
He said for the third time, a specialist will come through with a device to measure the noise, as well as municipal city planners.
After all the evidence is gathered, EMPD will proceed to confiscate the speakers or device where the sound is coming from and impound it.
The devices will be stored on EMPD premises, where Mokheseng said it will only be returned with proof the by-law will not be infringed again.
“I urge communities and residents to be considerate of one another when playing loud music, while having parties or events,” said Mokheseng.
