Noise sensors only deployed with consent from complainants involved in disputes

To collect evidence in disputes between neighbours, noise sensors might be installed in homes.

This will happen if proposed new laws that aim to resolve such disputes are passed.

Bill to enhance resolving of community disputes to be introduced in Parliament

This new way to help resolve community disputes was revealed in a joint statement from the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Ministry of National Development on Monday (12 Aug).

It said the Community Disputes Management Framework (CDMF) was set up in 2014 to facilitate the resolution of neighbourly disputes.

After a public consultation, the CDMF will be enhanced through the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill, which will be introduced in Parliament soon.

New govt unit to be started

One of the enhancements will be the starting of a new Government unit: the Community Relations Unit (CRU).

The CRU will be empowered to investigate and take action over “severe neighbour noise disputes and hoarding cases”.

It will be staffed by Community Relations Officers (CROs) and supported by auxiliary police officers, who must identify themselves in the course of duty.

The CROs will have the power to:

• take statements from the neighbours and others who can help with investigations
• enter a place of residence to gather evidence, with the consent of the owner, occupier, or with approval from the Director-General of Community Relations
• issue a direction to require the neighbours involved to attend mediation
• issue advisories, warnings or abatement orders that require the individual to take reasonable steps to stop the noise nuisance
• require the removal of the nuisance-causing object, after...