This story on attacking the homeless was from the ABC.
Western Australia’s homelessness minister has criticised “hostile” high-pitched noise devices installed to deter rough sleepers at an East Perth underpass.
The devices emit a constant high-pitched ringing and were installed at the Lord Street underpass by the Public Transport Authority (PTA) at the request of the City of Perth.
Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the WA government did not endorse the move.
“I think people who are homeless need to be treated with dignity,” he said.
“We can work with the City [of Perth] to help them with their issues, but I don’t think those hostile, anti-person things are the kind of things we want in our city.
“We are happy to work with local government and the organisations that assist people with homelessness and I think that is a much better approach.”
A PTA spokesperson told the ABC the device had been switched off and the authority would work with the City of Perth to determine a “more suitable way forward”.
“The city’s focus remains on improving safety and amenity for all users of the area,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognise this is a sensitive issue and remain committed to balancing safety, accessibility and the respectful use of public spaces for everyone in the community.”
Housing campaigner Jesse Noakes from independent media outlet The Last Place on Earth told ABC Radio Perth’s Nadia Mitsopoulos the sound was “visceral” and “sickening”.
“I’ve had a headache for the past couple of days because that sound is just so persistent and so irritating,” he said.
“Who thinks, honestly, that this is an appropriate response to homelessness in Perth rather than providing supports and housing to people who need it?”
“It really just seems to be a completely unnecessary added humiliation for anyone who is sleeping rough in the city.”
Thirty-seven-year-old Perth man Les (whose last name has been withheld) had slept in the area in the past and said the devices had prevented some people from setting up tents and sleeping bags under the bridge.