Sonic Blaster Deployed to Political Events, Beach Competition

[The Straight Story]

Sonic Blaster Deployed to Political Events, Beach Competition


A nonlethal device best known for beating back pirates off the coast of Somalia was deployed by local police in San Diego at political gatherings, and even at a competition to build sand castles, according to a local publication.

“The was stationed by San Diego County Sheriff deputies at a recent town hall forum hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) in Spring Valley and at a subsequent town hall with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego),” East Country Magazine reported after reviewing official records. It was also parked at a local sand-building competition along the beach.

Though the Long Range Acoustic Device can be used for hailing, it has also been employed as a weapon, most prominently in 2005 by a cruise ship, which used it to ward off attacking pirates. In fact, the device, which was developed after the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, is designed precisely for that sort of mission. It can permanently damage hearing, depending on how it’s used.

Deploying the Long Range Acoustic Device to local events has provided ammunition to critics of Police Sheriff Bill Gore, who was the agent-in-charge of the FBI’s infamous 1992 Ruby Ridge siege. In response to questions posed by East Country Magazine about use of the technology, Gore said that officers had the appropriate training and that the device’s use as a deterrent is just a “precaution in case you need it.”

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/09/sonic-blaster-deployed-to-local-political-events-beach-competition/

[BlooInBloo]

1. And cops everywhere drool at the chance of a creative new way to terrorize citizens.

[Subdivisions]

2. Another weapon in the police state arsenal...

Don't blast me bro!

[Fapping_Slappy]

3. worse than a taser

The LRAD can permanently damage human hearing. Output is 146dB at a range of 1 meter and over 95dB at 300 meters. The acoustic beam width is 30 degrees. A taser is used on a specific target. This device can harm innocent people while those expecting to be blasted can use hearing protection.

[Rex]

4. Well you know what they say about harm to innocent people

collateral damage. What a great gift to society! Why don't they just pour lava on us from above? About as nice.

[Liberty Belle]

5. site's down, here's a cached link that works:

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:VIkLt4x52R4J:www.eastcountymagazine.org/%3Fq%3Dnode/1874+eastcountymagazine.org&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[Indenturedebtor]

6. Didn't they say this wouldn't be used domestically?

Typical. Just typical. What a dystopian reality we now inhabit.

[Echo In Light]

10. Oh, 'they' say many things, don't they?

[Indenturedebtor]

11. Myesss they certainly do. What the hell is next? Implanting us all with radio controlled explosive

devices? Just in case one of us gets rowdy?

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yeah Chief Gore, that is why your Sergeant was NOT wearing a helmet

while driving that thing around

[dgibby]

8. Lovely. Can this be far behind?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directed-energy_weapon

[rucky]

9. Those sandcastle competitions can get pretty ugly. n/t