TORONTO, May 27 (UPI) -- Toronto's preparations for next month's Group of 20 summit include the purchase of four "sound cannons" to be used if protests get out of hand.
Three of the devices are small hand-held models that can transmit loud noises up to 2,000 feet away, the Toronto Star reported. The fourth, designed to be mounted on a vehicle or boat, can be heard for more than a mile.
"They were purchased as part of the G20 budget process," said Constable Wendy Drummond, a police department spokeswoman. "It's definitely going to be beneficial for us, not only in the G20 but in any future large gatherings."
The G20 meeting is scheduled for June 26-27, following a meeting of the smaller Group of Eight, also in Ontario.
Drummond said the sound cannons have a double function: providing information or instructions and crowd control. As loudspeakers, they can send messages in 50 languages.
Their other function is more controversial -- transmitting loud or high-frequency noise at levels that could cause permanent hearing damage. Drummond said police will only transmit short bursts of sound.
Police have already used one of the devices during the execution of a search warrant.
