A noisemaker called the "Mosquito" was recently installed in Washington, DC's Chinatown neighborhood, which emitted an obnoxious high-pitched sound targeting the hearing range of 13-25 year-olds. The Mosquito was installed in response to local shopkeepers' complaints that fights, theft, and drug dealings related to the loitering were deterring shoppers.

The Mosquito was removed after members of the National Youth Rights Association filed a complaint, but the problem of large numbers of youth in the Chinatown neighborhood with nowhere to go still remains.

Tell D.C.'s City Council to be proactive in looking for a solution. Instead of draconian measures like the Mosquito, tell Council members to consider proven options for lowering youth crime.

Photo credit: Jason Hickey