THE behaviour of boisterous youths may lead to public parks being closed early after complaints from residents about noise pollution and other disturbances caused by large crowds gathering in the cooler weather.
The Southern Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal by member Mohammed Daraj to have the gates to Al Muhajereen Garden in Hejayat locked up before 11pm on weekdays.
The park is surrounded by homes and teens gather late at night in the play area and around the seating area in close proximity to family homes.
The first suggested closing time was 7pm but chairman Abdulla Abdullatif proposed 8pm during the winter months and 10pm in the summer.
He also proposed that any early closure should be determined by areas that had witnessed angry exchanges between residents and young people, action that councillors unanimously supported.
“The 7pm closing time is way too early, at least it should be 8pm during winter when it gets dark at 5pm and at 10pm during the summer when it gets dark at 7pm,” said Mr Abdullatif.
“Councillors should understand that I am backing the proposal to have this park closed early but it will likely open the door for other angry residents to come seeking the same action,” he added. ”Then we will also be faced with opposition asking that we open the park for longer hours.”
Mr Abdullatif said he believed it was his job to back proposals by councillors, even if not entirely convinced with the concept.
“For me, every person has the right to enjoy their free time and when someone is happy, sometimes they will be noisy,” he said. “However, I also appreciate the concerns of residents who experience an intolerable level of noise with shouts and screams being heard in their bedrooms and living rooms.”
He added that the proposed early park closures would not change weekends or public holiday midnight timings.
The decision could be implemented within 30 days unless vetoed by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak.
“We have repeated confrontations between residents and youths occupying the public facilities at nights as they refuse to lower their voices when people want peace and quiet and are trying to get younger children to sleep,” said the council’s technical committee chairman Ahmed Al Abdulla.
“We should also take into account that some people have to get up early for work, school or are unwell and, in such cases, just want peace of mind,” he added.
“When things get out of hand then we have to introduce restrictions, especially when we get bombarded with calls and petitions from hundreds of concerned citizens.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))