Posted on: October 24, 2023, 08:16h. 

Last updated on: October 24, 2023, 08:16h.

Blasting Celine Dion songs is being considered a public nuisance by Mayor Anita Baker of Porirua, New Zealand.

The city has been experiencing a unique phenomenon known as “siren battles,” where cars equipped with loudspeakers and sirens compete by playing high volume music. Unfortunately, the chosen torture music is the iconic hits of Las Vegas sensation Celine Dion, leaving residents frustrated with the screeching, incomplete versions of songs such as “My Heart Will Go On.”

“They play half a song and tweak it on their devices, creating a screeching noise that prevents you from even enjoying good music,” Mayor Baker expressed to Britain’s The Guardian. She believes the siren groups choose Dion’s music because it is clear, high in treble, and low in bass, making it perfect for their purposes.

Siren battles originated about 20 years ago within the Pasifika community of New Zealand, which consists of various ethnic groups descended from the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands. The battles bring a sense of community, but they also disrupt the peace and quiet of residents, leading to numerous complaints made to the police. Mayor Baker reveals that some residents have even threatened to move out if the torture of Dion’s music does not cease.

“We either need to find an alternative location for these battles or put an end to them altogether,” Mayor Baker emphasized. However, the geography of Porirua, nestled within a basin, amplifies the vibrating effect throughout the entire city.

An online petition on Change.org has been launched to urge the Porirua City Council to intervene and has already garnered 242 signatures.

One of the petition signatories, Diana Paris, voiced her frustration, stating, “Although I enjoy listening to Celine Dion at my preferred volume in the comfort of my own home, I do not appreciate hearing fragments of her music on repeat from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.”