Editor:
It was with great concern and dismay that I read the CBC news headline of Tuesday, Nov. 10 stating the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has acquired a long range acoustic device (LRAD) for communication purposes.
This device can emit levels of sound that are clearly audible one km away, cross the human threshold of pain and can cause permanent hearing loss. This military device has been used in Iraq to disperse crowds and is being advertised as a non-lethal weapon.
Being a musician and sound instructor, I take personal interest and offence to this level of intrusion by the VPD's acquisition of this device. Imagine the sound of a car alarm times 10 with your head beside the speaker, and you will get an idea of what kind of reality citizens are soon to be met with. You only need to look up LRAD on YouTube to witness the recent uses of the weapon at the G20 summit held in Pittsburgh.
The VPD has stated that they have no plans to use the device as a weapon, but rather only for "communication" purposes. The very nature of the device however, is one that compels people to disperse from any given area that the LRAD desires. Our freedom of movement just became more limited, even with the presence of such a device being present in public. It surely breaks noise bylaws, and there was no public discussion whatsoever about introducing this monster into our society. Sound, of course, is communication itself and one that has given me and anyone who enjoys music many great benefits through our lives. I urge everyone to do some research on the LRAD and make your concerns known.
Steve Wright
Sechelt
