'Sonic cannon' used to blast
protesters' ears in Pittsburgh
But, Putnam said that under normal circumstances, the LRAD is not harmful.
[ARTICLE HERE]
Washington, September 27 : Police in Pittsburgh, US, has showed the usage of the 'sonic cannon', which is the latest innovation in crowd control, by blasting the ears of protesters near the Group of 20 meeting of world economic leaders.
City officials said it was the first time such sound blasters, sometimes called sound weapons, were used publicly.
'There was an array of sound amplifiers used during the demonstration,' Lavonnie Bickerstaff of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, told Live Science.
'The Poconos police brought the long-range acoustic device with them, but I don't know whether it was used,' he said.
The long range acoustic device (LRAD) is designed for long-range communication and 'unmistakable warning,' according to the American Technology Corporation, which develops the instruments.
'The LRAD basically is the ability to communicate clearly from 300 meters to 3 kilometers', said Robert Putnam of American Technology's media and investor relations.
Such sounds damage small hair cells in the inner ear that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain.
But, Putnam said that under normal circumstances, the LRAD is not harmful.
'There's no way it can hurt you unless you have the ability to stand in front of it closely for several minutes,' Putnam said.
The instrument's volume, along with its high-pitched tone, make for painfully loud sound frequencies that are concentrated in a narrow beam and easily direct them at a target, not unlike using a spotlight.
protesters' ears in PittsburghBut, Putnam said that under normal circumstances, the LRAD is not harmful.
[ARTICLE HERE]
Washington, September 27 : Police in Pittsburgh, US, has showed the usage of the 'sonic cannon', which is the latest innovation in crowd control, by blasting the ears of protesters near the Group of 20 meeting of world economic leaders.
City officials said it was the first time such sound blasters, sometimes called sound weapons, were used publicly.
'There was an array of sound amplifiers used during the demonstration,' Lavonnie Bickerstaff of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, told Live Science.
'The Poconos police brought the long-range acoustic device with them, but I don't know whether it was used,' he said.
The long range acoustic device (LRAD) is designed for long-range communication and 'unmistakable warning,' according to the American Technology Corporation, which develops the instruments.
'The LRAD basically is the ability to communicate clearly from 300 meters to 3 kilometers', said Robert Putnam of American Technology's media and investor relations.
Such sounds damage small hair cells in the inner ear that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain.
But, Putnam said that under normal circumstances, the LRAD is not harmful.
'There's no way it can hurt you unless you have the ability to stand in front of it closely for several minutes,' Putnam said.
The instrument's volume, along with its high-pitched tone, make for painfully loud sound frequencies that are concentrated in a narrow beam and easily direct them at a target, not unlike using a spotlight.
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