Tammy Bruce: Noise Audible Only to Teens Used Against Loiterers

Noise Audible Only to Teens Used Against Loiterers

Besides loving this new invention I just have one question: Can they make a noise like this heard throughout the country audible only to leftists? The YouTube video of everyone fleeing to Canada would be fun to watch.

Conflict follows device that drives away teen loiterers

A wall-mounted gadget designed to drive away loiterers with a shrill, piercing noise audible only to teens and young adults is infuriating civil liberties groups and tormenting young people after being introduced into the United States...

The high-frequency sound has been likened to fingernails dragged across a chalkboard or a pesky mosquito buzzing in your ear. It can be heard by most people in their teens and early 20s who still have sensitive hair cells in their inner ears...

"It's horrible, loud and irritating," said Eddie Holder, 15, who sprinted from his apartment for school one morning covering one ear with his hand to block out the noise. The device was installed outside the building to drive away loiterers. "I have to hurry out of the building because it's so annoying. It's this screeching sound that you have to get away from or it will drive you crazy." [...]

"We'd have crowds gather in parking lots, and there'd be the usual trash talk, then you'd have fights," said Rick McGee, the school district's emergency services manager. "Now, there's no confrontation at all; they just get aggravated and leave within a few minutes."

Sweet.

Posted by Tammy · April 23, 2008 04:23 PM · Permalink
Cultural Commentary

Comments

Teens and their cohorts have found a way to turn this noise into a cell phone ringtone that their teachers and parents cannot hear.

Posted by: Not So SAHM at April 23, 2008 07:38 PM

Bwaaahaaahaaa! It serves the little adolescent creeps right. I get so tired of cars going up and down the street here in San Pedro blasting "gangsta rap" and the DAAADUMMMP base beats as loud as the stereos and speakers can go. Revenge is a dish best served loud. Payback is a bi*ch! Hahaaahaaahahaahaah!!!

Posted by: Rich B at April 23, 2008 09:53 PM

What a coincidence. I feel the same as Eddie about the hideous RAP "music" I am forced to listen to as it is played at maximum volume in public.

Posted by: Jack Bauer at April 24, 2008 02:46 AM

I was able to hear high pitch sounds well into my 30s. For quite a while, stores used ultrasonic alarm systems with so much punch that I could not shop in those stores. For reasons best known to the alarm companies, the damned things had to be left running all the time, not just during closed hours. My solution was a simple one: I didn't give my custom to any of those stores. I have to wonder what damage was done to the ears of folks working there. Even if they could not hear it, was any harm done?

I don't like obnoxious teens (or obnoxious ANYONE), but would not a better solution be playing real music on the public address system? If that does not get the rap/Madonna/Mariah Carey fans to go away, nothing will.

Posted by: The Friendly Grizzly at April 24, 2008 03:47 AM

Greatest. Invention. Ever.

Posted by: PeteRFNY at April 24, 2008 07:48 AM

Shrill, piercing sound? I hope Hillary is getting royalties for this.

Posted by: bstndance at April 24, 2008 09:20 AM

the dog whistle is a new invention?

Posted by: helpunderdog at April 24, 2008 10:43 AM

I still have a problem with some security systems in jewelry stores being too high pitched. Most people can't hear whatever I'm hearing.

Strange to thing that the reason the kids hear stuff is from hair in the ears.

Does that mean septagenerians like Larry King get a new kind of hearing for the hair in their ears?

Posted by: Brief Episode at April 25, 2008 11:19 AM