While some may not be too happy about the noise, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reminding the public that the meetings will be making ‘legal noise.

According to a press release from the RVIPF today, March 17, 2023, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins is informing candidates, parties and the public that provisions are made within the Noise Control & Abatement Act 1996 to host election campaign meetings without seeking a noise permit or exemption.

Legal noise timeframe

The Noise Abatement Act allows for persons to campaign during an election without seeking a noise permit. Therefore, there is no need for anyone to write to the Commissioner seeking permission to host a meeting with amplified noise to campaign individually or on behalf of any identified political party for the upcoming general elections.

Commissioner Collins noted that such meetings must, however, abide by the timeframe stated in the law. Political meetings must conclude on or before 11:00 PM nightly except during the period between nomination day and polling day when amplified noise must cease on or before 12 midnight.

“Any loud noise made outside this timeframe would be considered an offense,” the press release stated.

Police said persons should also be aware that any amplified noise made outside of the purposes of campaigning for the upcoming election without a permit from the Commissioner of Police will also be considered an offense.