Fining karaoke noise after 10 pm makes no sense

A government resolution on handling noise pollution specifies cash fines for those causing noise that disturbs their neighborhood or a public place after 10 p.m.

The reality is that any loud noise before 10 p.m. is just as disturbing.

A man in the northern province of Hai Duong was singing karaoke at home earlier this month and his neighbor complained about the noise. He went over to the neighbor's to express his anger, only to be stabbed to death. I was reading this news when my neighbors blasted their own loudspeakers at 9 p.m.

Noise pollution is a real issue and many people have been complaining about karaoke noise for years, but it seems like nothing has been done to fix the problem.

When authorities fine karaoke noise pollution, I don't get why they have to do it after 10 p.m. Do others in the neighborhood have to suffer from all the cacophony until the clock strikes 10? Authorities are supposed to fine noise pollution based on how loud the volumes are, not when the noise occurs.

It is inflexible and unwise to only fine karaoke noise pollution after 10 p.m. The evening is when people wind down after school and work; when people are supposed to enjoy dinners and family gatherings in peace. Are we supposed to wait until 10 p.m. to do all that?

I'm really fed up with my neighbors and their "after 10 p.m." line of reasoning. You can deal with the smell of garbage either by closing the windows or using deodorants, but it’s not that simple for noise. Do I have to install soundproof walls or something?

I think policymakers should consider new rules regarding noise pollution, or we may continue to see similar noise-related murders on occasion.