If you've detected a persistent, high-pitched noise emanating from the area of the downtown municipal parking garage, you are not hearing things.
The City of North Bay confirms it installed anti-loitering devices in the stairwells at the parking garage, located in the 100-block of McIntyre Street West last week.
According to communications officer Gord Young, "These devices have been put in place as part of a trial initiative to enhance security measures and discourage unwanted behaviour and property damage, which have been ongoing concerns at this location."
See related: Addition of security for downtown parking garage dominates budget talks
According to a 2021 staff report on the state of the parking garage, "These individuals are leaving garbage, used needles, furniture, blood and human waste for City crews to clean up in the mornings. It has become a not uncommon occurrence to find unknown individuals using intravenous drugs and sleeping in the facility."
The anti-loitering devices emit a high-frequency buzzing sound (watch video shot in one of the parking garage's stairwells above) designed to deter loitering and help to ensure the safety of individuals using the parking garage.
"The devices are operating continuously as we assess their effectiveness in addressing the concerns," adds Young. "Adjustments to the timing frequency and volume will be made based on feedback and observations."
The parking garage is more than 50 years old and has seen $1.5 million in maintenance and rehabilitation in the past decade. According to the City, the garage is designed to operate on a cost-recovery basis. While parking generates revenue for the City overall, capital costs such as repairs have kept the municipal garage itself in the red for the past 10 years.
See also: Municipal parking garage to get $465K worth of 'preventative maintenance'
The cost associated with the purchase and installation of the new anti-loitering devices amounts to approximately $3,400.
