BARRIE - City council gave an initial thumbs up to a youth-oriented anti-loitering pilot project, despite Ward 5 Coun. Lynn Strachan’s opposition to the “discriminatory” initiative.
If ratified next week as the latest step in Barrie’s safe parks and trails strategy, the city will invest as much as $30,000 to purchase and install up to 10 devices known as the Mosquito, throughout city parks before July 31.
The results would be reviewed after a six-month trial period.
The units emit a high-frequency sound (similar to the sound of a mosquito) that is particularly annoying to youth aged 13 to 23. Manufacturer Moving Sound Technologies (MST) states it is a harmless deterrent to vandalism, graffiti, public drug use and drinking.
“We conducted over six weeks of trials using the MK-4 in problem stairwells within parking facilities we operate around the city,” Mel McKinney, who operates public parking lots in Vancouver, is quoted in a MST sales presentation considered by Barrie’s community services committee. “Their effectiveness at preventing groups from congregating in parking lot stairwells and the immediate reduction in vandalism and anti-social behaviour was apparent.”
The devices, which would be turned on overnight according to committee chair and Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard, can be activated in a number of ways including cellphone use, motion sensors, timers or remote control.
“We are certainly trying to combat a problem,” acknowledged Strachan, who prefers illegal behaviour to be dealt by police. “I think we might be jumping too quickly on a bandwagon. We need policies that govern the way these devices are used.”
She cited European safety concerns, potential class-action lawsuit precedents and a breach of civil liberties.
“Is it discriminatory? Yes,” admitted Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse, who pointed out the device’s safety endorsement from Health Canada. “The youth is the problem. When the elderly start tearing up the parks, we’ll come up with something to combat that.”
Prowse also sits on the committee that brought the motion to general committee – as does Strachan and Ward 3 Coun. Rodney Jackson.
“I’m very proud of this report,” Prowse added. “Go forth.”
Jackson pointed out the Mosquito is also currently in use in Vancouver and Edmonton.
“The point is to something, not just study the problem,” he said. “If you look for it, you’d probably find out teddy bears are dangerous, too.”
The motion passed with Strachan casting the only dissenting vote.
mlawson@simcoe.com