A tense argument erupted between two residents of the busy Palo Negro a Porvenir community in the San José parish of Caracas, over constant parties with excessively loud music late into the night and a marked lack of mutual respect. To prevent the conflict, which witnesses said had been ongoing for months, from escalating, some residents suggested police intervention.
The man affected by his neighbor's behavior heeded the recommendations and decided to personally go to the headquarters of the Parish Community Police Service, located on Panteón Avenue, to file a formal complaint against his neighbor. CPNB officer Yarbeili González explained to Últimas Noticias She said she received the man who arrived as a petitioner. She recounted that the incident between those involved occurred in an area characterized by its high volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Although this environmental dynamic is not directly related to the origin of the conflict, it may have contributed to an atmosphere of lower tolerance for noise, since, according to the plaintiff, many motorcyclists would arrive at his house and sometimes start their engines and rev them deliberately. The noise from the vehicles distressed him even more. In addition, they played music at a volume that penetrated the walls of his house, making it feel as if it were about to collapse from the vibrations. Not content with these disturbing noises, these people didn't talk to each other, but rather shouted because, unable to hear each other over the loud music, they were forced to raise their voices.
According to her testimony, this happened almost every day, and it was worse on weekends. The most worrying aspect of the account is that there was an “escalation of disrespect,” González stated.
Because the complainant was tired of the situation, he repeatedly went to the accused's house to complain about the disturbances he was causing, and the accused responded with shouts and insults. The complainant defended himself by directing several insults at him. Although the incident did not escalate to physical violence, the other residents of the community suggested that the neighbor go to the local police station.
Before this formal complaint, neither neighbor had considered resorting to any official mediation authority to try to resolve their differences. As a result, the general atmosphere in the area became tense due to the division among residents, some of whom supported the defendant. Those not directly involved in the origin of the conflict also suffered the indirect repercussions of this protracted dispute, finding their peace and quiet disrupted. González decided to summon the parties to a meeting in the conflict resolution room.
Workplace Mediation
The session was held at the Community Service Office of the San Jose Community Police Service in the presence of the police officer who gave the floor to each of those involved, allowing them to present their versions without interruption, and then called upon them to adopt a joint agreement.
During the proceedings, the complainant maintained that the noise was constant, excessively loud, intentional, and unfortunately occurred predominantly at night, disrupting his sleep. The defendant, for his part, argued that the tensions were not one-sided, but rather had been preceded by various verbal provocations from the complainant. After forty minutes of dialogue, both parties were guided toward a formal written agreement.
Commitments
In this document, they established the immediate cessation of excessive noise. Officer González warned residents that they should also reduce parties and gatherings, as well as disturbances involving motorcycles, to prevent both noise and air pollution in that urban area. She urged neighbors to commit to respectful treatment; therefore, they were prohibited from insulting or shouting at each other in the street or in any public or private space.
Although no direct legal sanctions were imposed at this initial stage, a clear statement was made in the file indicating that any repeated breach of this agreement would refer the case to the competent judicial body, with the consequent legal implications.
Regulations
The resolution of the case was based on the provisions of the Ordinance on Citizen Coexistence, Civics and Community Peace Justice of the Libertador Municipality of Caracas regarding annoying noises and acts contrary to citizen coexistence.
The official urged those involved to respect the regulations that prohibit shouting, insults, and foul language in public spaces, as well as to study the concepts of community peace and civic awareness.
The legislation in detail
- Civic awareness. According to Article 11 of the Ordinance on Civic Coexistence, Civic Duty, and Community Peace Justice of the Libertador Municipality of Caracas, it is the set of principles, norms, and values that govern the individuals of a community. Following these principles fosters a sense of belonging, promotes progress, and facilitates peaceful coexistence.
- Annoying noises. Municipal regulations define them in article 11 as the emission of sound produced by any activity or process that exceeds the permitted tolerance levels, causing discomfort to the health of the population and disturbing the environment.
- Noise pollution. According to the ordinance, noise pollution includes acts such as parties, musical performances, loud shouting, or obscene language. It also includes playing music at high volume levels in residential areas, commercial establishments with openings to public spaces, and public transportation vehicles.
- Sanction. The Libertador municipality ordinance states that the offending person will be sanctioned with a fine equivalent to 50 times the highest value currency set by the BCV —which is currently the euro— or community service.
