Noise Pollution needs Solution

Throughout the days of the busy streets in central Richmond, Island by Nature, residents move through their hectic days one hour at a time. On the corner of Firbridge Way and Minoru Avenue, there lies a General Motors (GM) dealership that sell North American cars day by day. With society becoming more aware of global warming and environmental sustainability, GM struggles to maintain its own business, as their company is frantically attempting to restructure their business ethics to be more “green”.  

After coming close to corporate liquidation, one would think that GM will re-evaluate their role and be more environmentally conscious. However, this specific dealership of GM seems to overlook the significance of this past detrimental incident. In the typical daily operation of a business, a common practice would be to turn off all lights and other electrical devices. Ironically, every night this car dealership fails to adhere to energy conservation methods. This dealership, for the past three weeks, has left their radio on every night via their outdoor parking lot speakers. This not only unnecessarily wastes electrical energy but also causes constant noise pollution to nearby housing. Being a resident of an apartment building directly across from the dealership, I am a victim of their inconsideration. Their speakers are playing 24 hours a day, and at minimum for the past three weeks they have not even turned down the speakers, which multiply to a total of over 500 hours of non-stop radio blasting. In their current financially unstable state, constant usage of radio and outdoor speakers only add to their already high financial debt.

One week ago, at 0300 deep into the morning, I awoke to the sound of the radio coming from an outdoor speaker no more than 40 metres away from my pillow. Frustrated with the situation, I found my way to the nearest RCMP station just down Minoru Avenue. Unfortunately they did not have an open office at the time but I spoke briefly with a constable outside of the station and informed him of my current situation. He responded that he would not be able to do anything at the moment and the next day he would follow up on the situation. Yet to this day, there has been no change. At the moment, my only temporary solution is to sleep with my own music playing and therefore adds to unnecessary payments to my own electrical bill and in no way is that anyhow energy conserving either. Currently, I am still severely concerned with situation and I am sure that I am not the only one who sleeps directly across the street from this speaker. All that is to be done within my abilities now is to wait.