A DC shop on one of the busiest retail strips has installed a “Mosquito” device in order to drive away teenagers who often loiter and fight there. The unit emits an annoying beeep beeep beeep at 17.5 kilohertz, which is at the upper range of audibility for 13-25 year olds. The business owners like it, but one passerby remarked, “It’s classism and ageism. And it’s sad.”

Bonus quote from the device manufacturer: “We have other settings for adults if you have bums hanging around.”

Mosquito noise device at Gallery Place aims to annoy potential troublemakers [Washington Post] (Thanks to VAcooking!)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.