Sound system damage sparks outrage

A video showing a policeman damaging a sound system operator’s equipment recently has drawn public outrage.

The incident reportedly occurred at 33 Lane off Waltham Park Road in St Andrew on Sunday morning.

In the 20 second video clip, the policeman is seen overturning sound system speaker boxes. He then kicked and pushed over the console of the sound system.

Neville Brown, Manager of  Full Force sound system, told Radio Jamaica News that he was disappointed and angry at the actions of the police team, which operated contrary to what is expected of them in such circumstances.

He said it is clearly understood that if a sound system operator has breached the Noise Abatement Act, it is the right of the police to charge the operator and seize the equipment, not damage the equipment.

“Mi feel so upset fi know seh mi spen so much money pon mi soun an dis really tek place,” he said.

Mr Brown said a formal report was made to the police concerning the incident.

He told Radio Jamaica News that he has incurred significant financial losses arising from the incident and is
considering legal action to recover those losses.

Prominent sound system selector and owner, Garfield McKoy - more popularly known as Ricky Trooper - says this latest incident is an indication of the disregard shown for sound system culture in Jamaica.

He believes the police officer was out of line in his mishandling of the sound system equipment.