METRO Police addressed the topic of bylaws at the Bulwer Community Safety Forum monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Const Mohammed Ismail from Metro discussed the Nuisance and Behaviour in Public Spaces Bylaw which metro officers enforce every day.
Const Ismail explained that a nuisance is when an owner or tenant of a property plays music too loud, which interferes with those living around them.
“No one is allowed to do this and cut off times for music is from Sunday to Thursday from 9.30pm to 7am and Friday and Saturday from midnight to 8am. The bylaw also states that a home owner or tenant or business owner is not allowed to put a speaker at or near a door for the purpose of entertainment, for a party or to call customers, or have live bands on their property,” he said.
Falling under noise disturbance, he said no driver is allowed to play amplified sound which is audible for 50 meters, and frequent hooting in a public space, unless you are alerting another driver, is a nuisance infringement and the driver can be charged.
Capt Dave Danariah said any noise during the day which is audible to others is considered a nuisance. “To add to this, there are various functions in the community and some are celebrated with loud noise. In this case, the organisers have to write to council to be exempt and get special permission, and relevant departments approve this, following consultation with the community,” he said.
Regarding a resident who was battling with noisy neighbours, Capt Danariah said a complaint needed to be made with Metro, who would go out and assess the problem.
“If the premises is visited twice in one day by an officer, the owner can be charged. Keep records, always ask for reference numbers and names, as this can stand up as evidence in court and the magistrate can make a decision based on this. When it comes to overcrowding of premises, Health and Fire Departments need to be informed,” he said.
Danariah explained that issues aroound animals, be it cruelty or slaughtering of animals in a residential area, the SPCA needed to be called.
“Call the SPCA first as they have their own inspectors. If there is cruelty, Metro is called in to put together documents to take to court. We haven’t dealt much with slaughtering of animals, but residents should contact the SPCA. If there is an issue with remains being dumped outside the property, which attracts flies and rats, contact the Health Department, as they will investigate,” he said.
Regarding illegal dumping, Capt Danariah said residents should take down registration numbers of vehicles which should be given to DSW to investigate.
“DSW will do a background check and charge the dumpers. People need to be proactive, don’t wait for a week and then report things,” he said.
The issue of trucks parking illegally in the area was brought up, and Metro said trucks parked illegally between 7pm and 5am are being fined. During the day it is difficult to police this, unless the trucks are parked on a yellow line or on the pavement.
“Metro Police is dealing with prostitutes and vagrants in the Glenwood area at the moment. The vagrants and beggars are a social problem, and residents must stop giving to beggars. They are attracted to the area as it is well developed and there are resources, as they are being fed and assisted with money by residents. Residents must stop enabling them,” he said.
Heather Rorick, chairperson of the Bulwer Community Safety Forum thanked Metro for being at the meeting and urged residents to be aware of the increasing crime in the area.
“Theft of and out of motor vehicles, hijackings, housebreaking and house robberies are on the rise at the moment, and there have been reports of opportunists, fence hoppers, who are stealing from properties. Please be vigilant and careful, don’t be negligent and leave items lying in your gardens or in your cars. Another issue is houses are in the dark at night. We notice this when we are patrolling. People need to leave outside lights on at night, so the police can see what’s going on in your property,” she said.
