SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane City Council is considering a proposal from the Spokane Police Department to acquire sound cannons. These devices are intended for public safety communication, emergency response and lawful notifications.
The proposed sound cannons would cost the city more than $88,000. The devices can communicate over distances of up to 500 meters.
Community members have expressed concerns about potential misuse of the devices by Spokane police. However, Council Member Jonathan Bingle disagrees with these concerns.
Bingle stated, “It’s not serious opposition coming from the communists and the socialists. It’s just not. They just hate the cops.”
Some community members believe the devices could be used with excessive force. They have voiced concerns about their use during evacuations and other situations.
A feature of the sound cannon is a high-frequency alert tone, which was banned in Spokane in 2020. Council Member Paul Dillon has informed the Spokane Police Department about this concern. The department is now working with manufacturers to potentially remove this feature.
