Thursday, May 20, 2010

Loud Feedback on State Between 13th and 14th?

A reader writes:
What's that annoying shrill beeping on State St. (b/w 13th and 14th streets)? You guys always seem to be in the know... there is this obnoxiously shrill beeping that's been going on since Sat. evening. We can't even leave our windows open anymore it's so annoying--kind of like feedback from electronics but on a bigger scale. Better yet, who do you even contact about something so weird?! 311?
We're not sure, but we're hoping someone else on the interwebs can help you out. I would think the Alderman's office or police department would be the best resource.

Also, the email reminded us of something we heard about the new Pritzker Park at the corner of State and Van Buren. A friend mentioned that there was some loud sounds that would go off every once in awhile and that it was to deter bums from hanging around the park. Not sure if this is true or even plausible but we're just saying...

11 comments:

Carl said...

The noise at the park is an ultrasonic bird repellant . . . pigeons and the bums would appear to be immune to it's effects.

Anonymous said...

We can hear the "whine" over on Wabash as well- it is driving us batty. It is the worst in the bathrooms, where the ventilation system seems to amplify it.

rafe said...

Thanks for asking this question! I live on Wabash right next to that stupid building, and the noise is just infernal. I never thought of calling someone about it...maybe if we get lots of people to call, something might be done?

Anonymous said...

I hate all those bums over there, I wish that it would scare them away.

Jacquelyn said...

I posted the original question about this. I finally called 311 on Monday after nearly going out of my mind... They transferred me to the police dept. (?) and I told them what the deal was. At first I thought nothing was going to be done because they seemed to be skeptical (clearly I'd make that up...) but as of Tuesday morning we haven't heard a thing.

That Damn Redhead said...

I will be interested to hear if that noise dies down in the park- it triggered a migraine for me and I could have sworn I was the only one who could hear it! I thought it was supposed to be an ultrasonic dog repellent since the park has signs everywhere that have the big X over a doggie silhouette.

JeffS said...

I wonder if any readers on the near south have any idea what is with the air-horn going off ever 15 minutes or so. It seems to be coming from the area of Cermack and Michigan, but it's really hard to tell. It's not a train or vehicle, sounds like a typical hand-held (or larger) air-horn.

Patrick said...

The air horn is from CTA workers on the the tracks. It is how the signal back and fourth. I witnessed them doing this from my balcony.

Tony said...

I think CTA has been doing some track work and they blow the airhorn when it's safe for a train to pass (i.e., the workers are off the track). It sounds like it's coming from around the 18th Street area or north a bit.

Anonymous said...

If this is true, it explains the uptick in bums sleeping on benches and walking the streets around 16th and Indiana. Great. So the city "whines" the bums out of one place, and forces them to another. How in the world does this help anybody?

Anonymous said...

I agree - Stevensen is the South End of South Loop as Bronzeville starts there. Stevenson is only 2 blocks south of Cermak & the South Loop Hotel is at State/26th which has been there for years so maybe it's 26th ?