Updated 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia teens, beware. If you’re planning to post up at a rec center after dark, your eardrums might suffer.
Since 2014, the city has been implementing a device that’s meant to shoo rowdy youths from the premises. Called the Mosquito, it emits a constant noise at such a high frequency that only young people can hear it.
Mosquitos are currently installed at 30 city-run locations around Philly, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., they send out a high-pitched ringing sound to which anyone over age 25 is supposed to be immune — because, TL;DR, older folks’ ear hairs are dead.
What’s the point? The machines are intended to prevent loitering and vandalism by teens and young adults at public facilities. Think of them as the machine-generated equivalent of “Get off my lawn!”
Some say this age-based targeting is a form of prejudice.
“It very clearly discriminates against young people,” said Brian Conner, 20, president of the National Youth Rights Association. “It punishes non-criminal behavior, and the idea that youth are more prone to commit crimes than adults is just wrong.”
Michael Gibson is president of the Mosquito’s manufacturer, Moving Sound Technologies. He denies the discrimination charge by saying the product is intended for private property — which, he claimed, public parks basically are after they’ve closed.
“We do install in the parks in Philadelphia, but…they’re not actually activated until the park or rec center becomes private property,” Gibson told Billy Penn. “People have the right to protect their property.”
Councilmember Brian O’Neill is currently behind plans to install one at Champions Park Playground in Fox Chase. The device is included in some $300,000 in upgrades for the Northeast Philly park. His office did not return requests for comment.
The city’s Mosquito rollout began around five years ago with an installation in Chalfont Playground, also in the Northeast. At the time, Parks & Rec told the Inquirer they intended to outfit all 154 rec centers with the equipment by 2017. That hasn’t yet happened, but several dozen are out there.
Banned in several cities
Despite Philadelphia’s seemingly enthusiastic adoption, the Mosquito has been banned in several cities around the world. (FYI, here’s what the thing actually sounds like.)
Washington D.C. officials installed the anti-kid noisemakers at the Gallery Place Metro station in 2010. Youth group NYRA took issue with the effort almost immediately, and members filed a complaint alleging age discrimination. The city eventually asked the manufacturer to remove the devices.
“By calling attention to it, we were able to make it into a big deal,” NYRA’s Conner said. “We were able to make it clear that they’d be in a lot of trouble if they kept using this device.”
In 2008, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child implored the United Kingdom to “reconsider…the Mosquito devices insofar as they may violate the rights of children.” Two years later, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly agreed, stating that government agencies in their 47 member states ought to ban them.
Since then, at least four counties in England have followed suit and banned the device.
Parks & Rec defended Philly’s use of the youth-repellant machinery, saying they’re only operational at night.
“These sonic devices are just one part of a holistic safety system, and only operate when sites are closed to the public,” spokesperson Maita Soukup told Billy Penn via email. “We welcome all residents to enjoy our parks and playgrounds during the hours they are open to the public.”
Parks & Rec sites with overnight sonic devices
Cione Playground
2600 Aramingo Ave, 19125
Cohocksink Recreation Center
2901 Cedar St, 19134
Ford Recreation Center
609-39 Snyder Ave, 19148
Markward Playground
400-16 S Taney St, 19103
Kendrick Recreation Center
5822-24 Ridge Ave, 19128
Rose Playground
7401 Lansdowne Ave, 19151
East Poplar Playground
800 N 8th St, 19123
Fishtown Playground
1202-32 E Montgomery Ave, 19125
Hancock Playground
147 Master St, 19122
12th & Cambria Playground
1149 W Cambria St, 19133
American Legion Playground
6201 Torresdale Ave, 19135
Bridesburg Recreation Center
4625 Richmond St, 19137
Piccoli Playground
1501 E Bristol St, 19124
Waterloo Playground
2502-12 N Howard St, 19133
Belfield Recreation Center
2109 W Chew Ave, 19138
Water Tower Recreation Center
209-99 E Hartwell Lane, 19118
Boyle Recreation Center
13024 Stevens Road 19116
Chalfont Playground
4336 Deerpath Lane, 19154
Fitzpatrick Playground
3500 Academy Rd, 19154
Fox Chase Playground
601 Borbeck Ave, 19111
Junod Park
3102 Mechanicsville Rd, 19154
Lackman Playground
800 Bartlett St, 19115
Mitchell Playground
3694 Chesterfield Rd, 19114
Palmer Playground
11701 Thornton Rd, 19154
Picariello Playground
3325 Red Lion Rd, 19154
Lower Mayfair Playground
3001 Robbins St, 19149
Pleasant Playground
6750 Boyer St, 19119
Dorsey Playground
6501 Hegerman St, 19135
Emanuel Playground
8500 Pickering Ave, 19150
Glavin Memorial Playground
3267-81 Almond St, 19134
Barrett Playground
8th & Duncannon
