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VANCOUVER – The Parking Corporation of Vancouver (EasyPark) has purchased fifty (50) MK-4 Mosquito™ units from Moving Sound Technologies Inc (MST) for installation in their parkades throughout Greater Vancouver. MST is the North American distributor for the high-frequency sound devices used to deter anti-social behaviour at facilities frequented by loitering teens and others.
“We conducted over six weeks of trials using the MK-4 in problem stairwells within parking facilities we operate around the city”, says Mel McKinney, General Manager for EasyPark “Their effectiveness at preventing groups from congregating in parkade stairwells and the immediate reduction in vandalism and anti-social behaviour (drinking, drug use, public urination) was apparent. The Mosquito™ units we’re installing will make our facilities safer, cleaner and more user-friendly for our customers.”
“We are actively marketing the MK-4, which has settings impacting both teens and/or all persons within the ultrasonic sound range”, says Michael Gibson, president of MST. “The latter setting option – all age groups - makes it the perfect application for EasyPark. Because the device is harmless and non-confrontational, security patrols and users will be safer. The MK-4 will reduce or eliminate the opportunity for criminal acts within their parkades by dispersing undesirable persons using stairwells and other areas.”
The Mosquito™ has been effective in deterring youth from gathering outside businesses, train stations, shopping malls, bars, pubs, on school grounds, college campuses, street corners, and in parks and public areas. It is a sound device that emits a very high frequency modulated tone that is audible and highly annoying to certain age groups (youth 14-25) but is completely harmless even with long term use.
Operated by remote controls or with timers, the Mosquito™ is 90-100 per cent effective at clearing installed areas, usually within a few minutes. Long term effectiveness is maintained due to the ‘stay-away’ effect of those impacted within the 30 metre range of the device. MST also sells the Mini Mosquito™ at a lower price but with limited functionality. It is better suited for installation immediately outside high traffic areas like convenience stores.
The Mosquito™ was invented in the United Kingdom and is now used world-wide because of its proven effectiveness at lowering crime and vandalism through benign crowd dispersion. The City of North Vancouver deploys units in its parks during late night hours in known gathering spots and has seen a big drop in attendant problems. Other municipalities across North America have also installed the units in parks and at public facilities with great success.
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