In an article written last year in the Wall Street Journal and also referenced in the book Super Freakonomics, an effort by the aspiring minds at Intellectual Ventures, LLC has developed a laser-defense system against mosquitoes in an effort to combat malaria. This system was developed to be capable of specifically targeting female mosquitoes, who are the carriers of infectious diseases. In an effort to create a more effective solution to a social and medical problem, researchers were able to develop alternative forms of vector control aimed at directly targeting the source of the problem. While pesticides such as DDT (which is still used in many developing countries) inflict many harmful externalities on the flora and fauna populations of targeted areas, and preventative measures such as mosquito netting only temporarily protect against the immediate harms and do nothing to solve the disease crisis, these laser systems are directed, effective, and non-discriminatory.
While researchers have recognized the value of efficient pest control, it has become apparent that shopkeepers in DC have not had the benefit of this value insight. Recently a device that emits a high-pitched, shrill noise was installed outside Gallery Place in Chinatown to deal with the store owners' concerns that the increase in loitering teenagers have been proximate to increased acts of violence and fighting in the area, such as last-month's 70-person-brawl that spanned two metro stations. These mosquito-devices are the local business-owners' form of urban vector-control: the sound the produce can only be heard by children and teenagers; as people age, their hearing threshold begins to diminish and adults usually cannot hear the sounds that the device emits. Herbert Miller, the developer of Gallery Place, installed this unit on the sidewalk outside of the entrance to the Gallery Place Metro station, thereby proffering its unsolicited annoyances to anyone using public transportation or simply passing by on the sidewalk. And the amount of people who are being affected by this device is not insignificant--Gallery Place-Chinatown was one of six stations designated by WMATA as core stations, as the intersection of the Red Line with the Green and Yellow lines brings visitors to the Verizon center, the local museums, or the numerous dining options such as Clyde's of Gallery Place (corporate plug!).
What is unsettling about this device and others like it is the overt intent of ageist discrimination that is the sole function of noise-deterrence systems. While it is a reasonable desire for local business owners to want to cut down on crime and promote an atmosphere of lawfulness in their neighborhood, their indiscriminate indictment of teenagers and children is simply a way to foster an attitude of neighborhood discord and exclude a portion of DC citizens who have a legitimate claim to be on the public streets and in the stores.
Admittedly, some teens have caused problems and disruptions in this area, but by extrapolating the actions of this small subset of the population, business owners are acting in much the same ignorant manner as those who equate radical Islamic terrorists with mainstream Muslims. Just as Intellectual Ventures has recognized that only certain mosquitoes are carriers of malaria and have adjusted the scope of their efforts to target solely the problematic insects, shopkeepers should seek to address unlawful behavior by teens, but not attempt a wholesale purge of the surrounding area of their age group. Miller's use of the mosquito device punishes the vast majority of teenagers who come to Gallery Place for legitimate purposes, as well as causing discomfort to all of the children, toddlers, and babies who are in the area under the supervision and guidance of their parents.
Despite the fact that an overwhelming percentage of teenagers are simply attempting to lawfully enjoy themselves around Gallery Place and are subsequently affected by these shrill noises, the most egregious offense comes not from the shop owners' ageist discrimination but rather from the fact that this machine was installed in public. Public streets and sidewalk and the metro system are open for all of the public to freely use without undue burden. By installing the mosquito device in a public area, Miller is attempting to deprive younger citizens of the right to use these public utilities. Installing these devices inside a private store is discriminatory and should be cause for legal action, but installing them in public is an attack on one's right to use public goods without harassment from others. Given that Miller consulted both WMATA and the police department prior to the machine's installation and was advised on both counts that they did not support his decision, Miller should have realized that his actions were not only inconsiderate, but potentially unlawful.
Recognizing that these shopkeepers are willing to participate in discriminatory practices and cause discomfort to all young people who are even passing by, why should the public afford them any protection of their actions or conduct business in their stores when we would boycott businesses who directed similar efforts towards other groups in society. Until the Gallery Place business owners choose to take down the Mosquito machine, the public should direct their purchasing power elsewhere in order to send a message to these unfair practices.
