Police use declassified military weapon in G-20 protests
By Liz Navratil / News Editor
published: Sun, 27 Sep, 2009
Oakland encountered a variety of non-lethal and less than lethal weapons when hundreds of police officers tried to disperse crowds in Schenley Plaza and the surrounding areas Thursday and Friday.
Police used an LRAD, or Long Range Acoustic Device, to play pre-recorded messages warning people that their gatherings were unlawful assemblies.
When people didn’t move, the police used the LRAD to emit a piercing sound louder than several police sirens combined.
It was the first time the device had been used in the United States.
Pitt police Chief Tim Delaney said he thought the device worked well because it ensured that everyone who gathered in or near Schenley Plaza Thursday and Friday heard the message to disperse.
“I’d like to get one,” he said.
The American Technology Corporation, the company that produces LRADs, says on its website that the devices can emit sound of up to 140 or 151 decibels, depending on the model. That’s about equivalent to the sound generated by a jet engine, according to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, which also predicts on its website that sound levels become potentially dangerous around 80 decibels.
Elizabeth Pittinger, executive director of the Citizen Police Review Board, said the military is declassifying the LRAD and other weapons for domestic crowd control use.
“We’re moving into a different generation of crowd control by domestic police,” Pittinger said.
Police also used smoke and OC vapor gas, not tear gas, to try to disperse the crowd.
OC vapor gas, Delaney said, is essentially the same as pepper spray or mace. It’s meant to “take the aggression out” of someone, though it can sometimes backfire and make people on drugs become more violent.
“You gotta do it right,” Delaney said.
Assistant News Editor Lindsay Carroll contributed to this report.
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"I'd like to get one." What a
"I'd like to get one." What a disgusting comment by Chief Delaney. One can just imagine him and others like him rubbing their hands together with glee at the prospect of another toy they can use against "dissidents." I can't wait to see these on the corner of every American street, ready to blow out the eardrums of anyone who dares to open his/her mouth. What military technology will the government begin using against its own people next? Maybe we can use Predator Drones to fire at "unlawful" assemblies. That way the cops won't even have to get their hands dirty.
Finger Pyramid of Doom
Ha...I can just picture him doing the finger pyramid of doom ala mr. burns from the simpsons, while muttering "excellent, smithers," to himself.
More from the FBI
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/color.htm
Reporting criminal acts by PGH police
Violating your civil rights is a federal crime. The FBI is responsible for prosecuting it.
Call the FBI at (412) 432-4000 and report the crimes.
Embarrassing
"We’re moving into a different generation of crowd control by domestic police,” Pittinger said...
...like completely paralyzing downtown, making people afraid to express their views publicly, and taking over ALL public roads there -- not just the ones cordoned off. And by making it "legal" to use a public road ONLY with prior permission granted on the basis of your political affiliation - that is, DEPENDING on what your political affiliation is. But not to worry - if you are a "tea party" protester, you can malign the president, shout down guests at town hall meetings and shut them down, and bully any of the Pittsburgh residents who disagree with your views.
Pittsburgh 1sts
This is a city full of firsts: first pop-tab, first stadium with a retractable dome, first emoticon. I'm sure the students will be happy to know that they participated in another first...the first use of the LRAD against US civilians! What an achievement! Kudos Pittsburgh police, I'm sure you were just "doing your job."
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