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Latin Times
Latin Times
National
Elizabeth Urban

California Man Who Wants Santa Monica 'Back to The Way It Was' Invents Device to Chase Off Homeless People: 'Nobody Can Complain'

Long-time resident of Santa Monica Stephen McMahon invented a device he calls the "Blue Chirper" to deter homeless individuals from sleeping nearby. (Credit: Screengrab from KTLA)

A California man has created a noise making and light device with the hopes of chasing away the homeless community so that Santa Monica can be like what he says it was like when he first moved there.

Stephen McMahon created the "Blue Chirper," which strobes blue light and emits cricket-like noises when its motion sensor is activated, to divert homeless individuals away from his community.

"I've lived here for over 30 years, and I've seen this neighborhood, which was just paradise, it was beautiful, deteriorate over the last five to six years," he told KTLA. "I want to push these people out of here and bring Santa Monica back to the way it was."

McMahon said the idea came to him after witnessing unhoused individuals sleeping in alleyway carports overnight.

The Blue Chirper's electronic parts are housed in a wooden box hand-made by McMahon. He said the device is so effective that he has begun selling the devices to neighbors and local businesses.

Surveillance footage from McMahon's home caught a few people leaving his carport after setting off the device. He told KTLA, "They barely even sit down and they leave."

The Santa Monica resident has so far made a dozen Blue Chirpers, and said he has another dozen on backorder. So long as the homelessness crisis continues, he believes he will continue getting orders.

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