Saint Lucians warned: Don’t Disturb the Peace

As part of its ongoing “Know Your Laws” series disseminated via the local media, the royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) is reminding the general public of the laws pertaining to loud music. This, the RSLPF believes, is pertinent particularly in the Christmas season, but also serves as a general reminder. Persons are being cautioned about disturbing the peace, or their neighbours.
According to Criminal Code of Saint Lucia (550)
(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, proof of which lies on him or her—
(a) in any public place;
(b) in or in connection with any business, or other place to which the public is admitted;
(c) in any premises; or
(d) in any vehicle,
by operating or allowing to be operated any musical instrument, speaker or amplifier causes, or allows to be made any loud and continuous sound or noise, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000 or to imprisonment for 6 months.

(2) A person who, without reasonable excuse, proof of which lies on him or her by setting off or causing to be set off any alarm, or other similar device, makes or causes to be made any loud and continuous noise to the annoyance of the person living in or within the neighbourhood commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.

(3) The provisions of subsection (2) shall not apply to any ambulance, fire engine, police vehicle used in the execution of a public duty.

(4) For purposes of subsections (1) and (2), it shall be lawful for a police officer to enter into such place or vehicle and to seize and carry away any musical instruments, appliances or equipment or alarm or other similar device and these shall be forfeited.

(5) No proceedings shall be taken against any person for any offence under this section in respect of premises used as a public dance hall where the prior permission of the Commissioner of Police for the use of any such instrument described in this section has been obtained but no such permission shall be granted in respect of any dance hall between the hours from 2:00 a.m. and noon of the same day. The police also take the opportunity to remind persons engaging in public activities that permission must be sought from the relevant authorities for the playing of loud music as well as a liquor license where alcohol will be sold.