Philadelphia schools have found a new way to chase off loitering teenagers during off hours: high-frequency sonic waves provided by a device known as “The Mosquito.”
“That happens to be the age group that we want to keep out of our playgrounds when they’re closed at night, when a lot of vandalism happens and destructive behavior goes on,” city Council member Brian O’Neill told a local CBS affiliate.
The technology, provided by Moving Sound Technologies, emits a safe but annoying frequency that adults over the age of 25 generally cannot hear due to age-related issues.
“[Teenagers] find it extremely annoying and will leave an area within a couple of minutes,” Michael Gibson, Moving Sound Technologies’ president, told the station.
Between security cameras and the high-pitched power of “The Mosquito,” Mr. O’Neill believes the city has an effective system in place for deterring vandalism.
“They work in tandem. If, for some reason, something’s going on and it doesn’t chase them away, we have their photos. And that’s worked,” he told the station.
Mr. O’Neill said he was sold on the device after a demonstration that chased off two interns.
“I want it,” was his immediate reaction, CBS reported.
The city plans to mount the device at several locations within the next three years.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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