A CubaNews translation by Odilia Galván Rodríguez.
Edited by Walter Lippmann.

I have read many articles in this section, and television spots regarding noise pollution, rude social behavior, and recently, one regarding the International Broadcaster's event regarding the conservation of our language. What I still have not been able to figure out is how we will solve the problem, of how and where complaints should be made regarding music played at unbearable decibels by apathetic neighbors who have not learned to live collectively, or respect other people’s sleep, rest, or simply the tranquility of those around them.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of those who act in this manner are young people who do not work or study. From the time the sun comes up, they play their music at intolerable volumes and we do not know where to go or to whom we should report the recurring problem. An appeal to their conscience, or for some neighborliness is impossible, because though they may turn down the volume at that instant, unfortunately, as if they were mocking you, the next day or later on, it is the same thing all over again. Moreover, that’s without mentioning the dirty looks one gets for mentioning it – or comments like, “in my house, I listen to what I want and I how I want to

In my personal case, starting from early morning and at any time of day, you can hear Reggeton of the most course and vulgar kind, which every day, is sadly deteriorating our language, and what prevails in their words are expressions that are an ode to bad taste, which one is not always ready to hear. We understand that every citizen has the right to listen to the music they like, but what they do not have the right to do is permanently disturb the community around them. One can listen to their music but cannot compel me to hear it all the time, as if it were being played right in my house. Especially if what I need is to rest, to talk on the phone or simply to be quiet.

I do not know who to go to, or where to go, to resolve this problem, and no one seems interested in confronting this damaging issue.

E. Santana.

A CubaNews translation by Odilia Galván Rodríguez.
Edited by Walter Lippmann.

An environmental study conducted in 1989 in residential areas of Havana, considered noise to be one of the factors most affecting the population, both at home and at work. Two decades later, this element remains a pollutant causing personal injury, and social and economic harm.

In Cuba, there are laws governing labor, the environment, roads and transit, and rules related to noise, its impact, measurement and control. But how do we curb noise pollution?

The problem transcends the bad habits of coexistence - like putting music on at a volume that the entire neighborhood can hear, or loud talking, using full lung power – including sound effects, regardless of schedules, just to give a few examples. The situation is aggravated by the impunity of offenders and by the "laissez-faire" or "let live" attitude of the institutions who are responsible for keeping the loud noises at bay.

Often many Granma readers let their concerns regarding this subject be known to us. The recurring question is: what to do, where to go to stop the sonic aggression?

Activate existing mechanisms

The Public Health Act provides that the Public Health [Department] is who must control sanitary health conditions and therefore the municipal offices of Hygiene and Epidemiology are responsible for inspecting and handling complaints from people about noise.

In August 1999, the Council of the Provincial Administration of the Assembly of People's Power of the capital, adopted a regulation to control noise in residential areas of Havana. There it was established what the maximum allowable levels of noise at night and during daytime schedules should be in housing and social facilities.

Moreover, this regulation provides, that in the case of fixed housing developments, affected by noise pollution or not, in order to perform any type of modification which introduces or amends a noise source, the approval of the following departments is required: Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Provincial Health Directorate (DPS), Architecture and Urbanism, and the Delegation of Science, Technology and Environment (CITM).

If any citizen or entity violates the provisions, injured parties may complain to the person in charge of those generating such noise. If not satisfied with the response, they may then go to the municipal level of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and in exceptional cases of disagreement, seek review before the Provincial Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the DPS or at the Delegation of CITM.

When noise levels emitted by a legal entity violate the maximum limits allowed, specialists of Health or Environment may take different measures, including fines, cessation of activities and temporary or permanent suspension of licenses. If the entity responsible does not solve the problem within the stipulated time limit for doing so, they must then answer for an offense of disobedience.

It is the National Revolutionary Police forces job to impose fines on those who disturb the tranquility of their neighbors, especially during evening hours, with the misuse of electronic devices or other unnecessary noises as stipulated in Decree 141/88, of the Contraventions of the Interior Order. If the violations are due to house parties being held after one o'clock in the morning without permission of the competent authority, tenants may be fined and forced to conclude the activity.

Individuals also violate the law, specifically the Code of Roads and Transportation, when they drive with their stereos turned up to a volume, which disturbs – or obstructs the proper concentration of the driver of the vehicle and those who use their horn in populated areas – except in essential situations such as while driving an injured, or gravely ill, person to get medical attention.