A California City Is Into Tweeting—Chirping, Actually—in a Big Way

January 24, 2012 11:48 AM

Lancaster, CA employs an innovative method of crime fighting: bird noises.
posted by reenum (20 comments total)

Even if it works, the effects will only last until bird chirping is the new Muzak and the bland annoyingness (if not outright volume) drive people to commit even more crime (like with me at the mall).
posted by DU at 11:53 AM on January 24, 2012

So long as the recordings are long and varied enough I think the stochastic nature of bird song might make it a favourable option to musak.
posted by pmcp at 12:01 PM on January 24, 2012

This seems distopian somehow; like this will be how we enjoy parks in our enviro-suits a few generations from now.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:02 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]

Related, from Nota Bene on Arts and Letters Daily: on classical music in public spaces.
posted by kozad at 12:02 PM on January 24, 2012

Just how much crime are you committing at the mall, DU?
posted by kmz at 12:02 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]

Next step -- add G-23 Paxilon Hydrochlorate to the air processors.
posted by chuq at 12:02 PM on January 24, 2012 [2 favorites]

The bird noises apparently get rid of tigers as well.
posted by not_on_display at 12:24 PM on January 24, 2012 [3 favorites]

Birds? How about poltergeists or ghosts?

I've been inspired to install something that makes ghost-like noises and flickers on and off to deter burglars. And I'll make a "Beware of Poltergeist" sign and everything.
posted by anniecat at 12:29 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm not terribly convinced. But I do like the thought of bringing in classical music stations:

Studies citing the high quality of life in the area consistently name WCPE as a factor.

From WCPE About Us
posted by circular at 12:29 PM on January 24, 2012

Favorite part of the article:

"The obvious thing is it can't be the sound of vultures ripping apart a bison or anything,"

I think another study is needed.
posted by desjardins at 12:32 PM on January 24, 2012 [2 favorites]

Well, it might be stopping crime because of the "WTF is a bird doing out here?!?" effect. Lancaster is not exactly the woodlands.
posted by sideshow at 1:35 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yes, which birds are recorded really is crucial: panic attacks....
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 2:23 PM on January 24, 2012

The owls are not what they seem.
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:11 PM on January 24, 2012

This is horseshit.
posted by basicchannel at 6:12 PM on January 24, 2012

1. This is creepily Phildickian, and maybe even a little Lynchian.
2. However, it's neither creepily Peter Wattsish nor William Gibsonian, which means
3. it's actually a pleasant relief compared to most other things happening this decade.

posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:40 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]

"Lynchian," yes, but equally Disney -- the fake animatronic bird in Blue Velvet recalls the one in Mary Poppins.

Blue Velvet final scene -- mechanical bird at 2:35 and 3:12 [YouTube]
Whatever Happened to Bubo, the Golden Owl? [YouTube]
posted by 0rison at 10:17 PM on January 24, 2012

It's Soylent Greenb sheeple!
posted by arcticseal at 11:19 PM on January 24, 2012

The article says that the bird sounds are calming, but anyone trying to sleep during hot summer nights with the windows open can get really agitated at loud mockingbirds vocalizing all night long.
posted by RuvaBlue at 11:58 PM on January 24, 2012

Then again, being sung to sleep by the bulbul, that is very nice!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:10 AM on January 25, 2012

Bird sounds, nice. Bulging synthesizer chords, not so much.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:20 AM on January 25, 2012 [1 favorite]