Re: Holland Park and excessive, obnoxious noise.
I live one kilometre away from Holland Park as the bird flies.
The noise created by the FVDED music festival on the July 1 long weekend was so incredible that we had our windows closed for two days and could still hear everything that was being screamed over the loud speakers directed our way.
Our windows actually vibrated by the assault of the basses and indescribably awful noise.
Not only was the noise horrible, it was offensive. Some of the “performers” were screaming the “F” word throughout the two days of this torture fest. The angry shouting, screaming and pounding basses reminded me of a war zone. The noise was angry and far from uplifting culturally.
I called the bylaw department but they had gone home and my call was forwarded to the non-emergency fire department line. The lady said she would log my complaint. She mentioned she had numerous calls from upset residents. She said there was nothing she could do but told me to call the RCMP.
I did so, only to find out that they too had numerous complaints but that their hands were tied since the city had granted this festival a permit.
There is no need for loudspeakers the size of houses cranking out mega watts of sound to an audience in a five-acre park located in a family neighbourhood.
I am not against summer festivals – such as Fusion Festival, pride gatherings or movies in the park – but let’s keep the sound confined to the park boundaries and select artists which bring both culture and quality to these happenings from which we will all benefit.
Ronald Vance, Surrey