It's the newest and possibly the most unique tool the city is using against vandalism and loitering. Noise. Chalfont Playground in Northeast Philadelphia is the first park in the city to use a new secret weapon called The Mosquito.
"It's like a high pitched noise. Like a beep beep beep" said a local teenager.
The series of speakers around the playground emit an irritating high frequency beeping noise that only teenagers or young adults can hear. The anti-loitering system was put in place earlier this year when renovations were done on the playground.
"After a few minutes it gets to you and it's like really irritating" said a 15 year old boy visiting the park.
Reporter Chris O'Connell tested the system with kids and adults at the park. None of the grownups heard the noise. But all of the kids ages 8-17 years old heard the noise they describe as a constant high pitched beeping. The boxes are turned on from 10pm until 6am.
"It's working. It's working great" said Bobby Hill, Assistant Recreation Leader.
The City's Parks and Recreation Department purchased the device along with a surveillance camera system. Since then there has been no problems with graffiti.
"I think all the playgrounds should have it. Just to keep the kids from loitering and vandalizing our new playground equipment" said Hill.
Right now Chalfont Playground is the only park to have The Mosquito system but if successful they may be coming to a playground near you.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:08 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:08:44 GMT
A jackpot-winning ticket in Saturday night's Powerball drawing, worth an estimated $600 million, was sold in Florida, according to the lottery's website.
A jackpot-winning ticket in Saturday night's Powerball drawing, worth an estimated $600 million, was sold in Florida, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
