Ferguson. Sound canons. Flash grenades. Other strangeness.

[Brainstormy]

OK, I'm familiar with tear gas, but reporting from Ferguson, MO., particularly last night, mentions "sound canons" and "flash grenades" used by the police. What are these? And are these part of the new police para-military arsenal? Also wondering by what authority/law the police insisted that the crowd could assemble but only if they kept moving?

[Lars39]

1. Sound cannons = LRAD

http://science.howstuffworks.com/lrad.htm

Edit to add: when they were using them in Irag DUers predicted they'd be used in the US against us.

[Mnemosyne]

7. Also used in 2009 G20 convention in Pittsburgh. nt

[jakeXT]

10. They had them ready in 04 during the RNC

RNC to Feature Unusual Forms of Sound
Aug. 25, 2004
By Amanda Onion

Coming soon to a convention near you: Sound like it has never (or at least, rarely) been heard before.

As politicians at the Republican National Convention use microphones to make themselves heard from the podium, other sounds in and around the event will be emitted in cutting-edge audio technology.

Outside the convention hall, New York City police plan to control protesters using a device that directs sound for up to 1,500 feet in a spotlight-like beam. Meanwhile, a display of former Republican presidents inside the hall will feature campaign speeches that are funneled to listeners through highly focused audio beams.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=99472&page=1

[Mnemosyne]

12. I remember feeling horrified by the possibilities when I first saw that story.

I am more horrified now than ever before.

What have they wrought on us and in our names...

[procon]

2. I was under the impression that sound cannons

were primarily used as a weapon of war to confuse the enemy on the battlefield, or a tool of psychological warfare and a torture device.

It seems like this was one of the military toys handed out by the Pentagon, and the local cops were looking for an excuse to use it against their own citizens as a means of crowd control. Maybe they see it as a 'reasonable' substitute for fire hoses, attack dogs and billie clubs.

[arcane1]

5. It's reasonable in the sense that the operators are at a distance, hiding behind a phalanx

[PDJane]

3. Flash grenades are meant to blind and deafen an enemy.

They aren't supposed to be used for crowd control, and they can cause serious burns. http://rt.com/usa/181100-baby-swat-grenade-medical/

They've also been using 'rubber bullets' and wooden pellets....both of which are dangerous. Plus, of course, they aren't supposed to be arresting journalists.

[NYC_SKP]

4. All are, IMO unconstitutional, should be war crimes.

IIRC tear gas is not allowed in war, apparently A-OK for use against us.

[jakeXT]

6. No ADS heat ray systems ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Denial_System

http://rt.com/news/weapon-us-microwave-cannon-363/

[Mnemosyne]

8. Coming soon. Already tested in Fallujah, iirc. nt

[Marr]

9. I remember they first sold the "sound cannon" as something for use only in foreign wars.

Any idiot could tell you that was bullshit. More and more, our government seems to perceive the public as the enemy.

[catnhatnh]

11. I also noted the use of "dazzler lights"...

which emit a pulsing intense light meant to disorient and blind people. I guess they weren't worried that they can also trigger seizures...

[jwirr]

13. Was that annoying siren they used last night the sound cannon? It is enough to make you want to

fight them and I don't think it will do anything to bring peace. I also wonder if they have the right to do what they are to the protesters and the media. Do this, do that!!