Dunedin City Council and the police will continue to operate inner-city ‘‘mosquito and music boxes'' to deter anti-social behaviour during winter.
The jointly-owned devices which emit either a high-pitched noise heard only by young people or play classical music have proved effective at two "problem sites'' in the central business district, city council customer advocate Adrian Blair says.
"They are part of an effort to reduce graffiti, damage and behavioural issues,'' Mr Blair said.
"To be effective they need to be coupled with other things such as increased lighting and an increased police and securityofficer presence.''
A mosquito box operates in an alleyway at the back of Little Hut Cafe, which has a George St frontage, and classical music plays in the Age Concern car park in Bath St.
Another mosquito box was being used at another recent problem site, Mr Blair said.
He did not want to name the location as the device was being trialled to test its effectiveness.
City council-employed safety officers would not be routinely patrolling streets during winter because the city was "generally a lot quieter during the cooler months''.
But the deterrent devices would continue to operate.
Dunedin and Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell recently suggested retailers concerned about nighttime behaviour near their premises should consider installing sensor-activated mosquito boxes and security lights.
