By Shamar Blunt
Despite the recent passing of legislation to clamp down on people leaving noisy kites flying at night, police have confirmed the problem persists.
Communications and Public Affairs Officer of the Barbados Police Service Inspector Rodney Inniss admitted on Thursday that lawmen faced a challenge pinning down the offenders.
He was responding on the Down to Brass Tacks call-in radio programme after several frustrated Barbadians complained that noisy kites continued to be a nuisance and police had offered little to no help when contacted.
“The challenge that we have is finding the offenders and finding the kites,” Inspector Inniss said. “Police officers normally would get the report at the time it is happening – during the night – and it’s almost impossible for us to find the kite, or if we do recognise where it is in the sky to know where it is tied up.”
“We have incorporated the drones in our searches as well [but] the problem is finding the kite, finding the offenders, and putting them before the court,” the police PRO added.
Under an amendment to the Minor Offences Act, “any person who flies or causes to be flown any kite with any object which creates noise when attached to the kite; or causes the kite to make noise, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fixed penalty of $500”.
Inspector Inniss said there were still several hotspots for noisy kites around the island and police were doing what they could to resolve an issue that has existed for several years.
“We have received many letters in black and white, emails, and similar calls in the past prior to the legislation and we have attempted to deal with it. Some persons were prosecuted – one or two persons previously – but since the passing of the legislation, I would have to research to see if anyone has been prosecuted or received a fixed penalty ticket.”
shamarblunt @barbadostoday.bb
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