(The Center Square) – The Spokane Police Department confirmed Friday that it’s no longer purchasing two long-range acoustic devices, at least for now, as the city council responds to community concerns.
Several residents testified against the grant-funded purchase on Oct. 27, when it first appeared on the Spokane City Council’s consent agenda. Long-range acoustic devices, or LRADs, produce loud warning tones to attract public attention to verbal commands issued by law enforcement in different situations.
Some residents called LRADs “dangerous noise weapons,” and the council voted that day to defer final consideration until Nov. 10 so SPD could draft an implementation policy. However, Councilmember Paul Dillon posted to Bluesky on Friday that he plans to request his peers pull it from Monday’s agenda…