Home Depot Responds to Claims About Noise Machines Targeting Day Laborers in LA Store
High-Pitched Noise Devices Spark Controversy at Los Angeles Home Depot
LOS ANGELES – A Home Depot store in Cypress Park is at the center of a growing controversy as protesters call for a boycott over the alleged use of high-pitched noise devices intended to drive away day laborers. Concerns have escalated, drawing in city officials and raising questions about community impact.
The dispute centers around three noise-emitting devices installed on light poles in the store’s back parking lot. According to community members, the devices produce a piercing sound aimed at preventing day laborers from gathering in the area. Accompanying the noise machines, yellow "k-gates" have been set up to restrict access to certain sections of the lot.
As community backlash intensifies, numerous shoppers and activists have voiced concerns about the negative repercussions on the local Hispanic population, who make up a significant portion of the area’s labor force.
In response to the allegations, Home Depot has labeled the claims as "categorically false." The company stated that the Cypress Park location faces unique challenges due to its proximity to an overhead facility operated by Caltrans. According to Home Depot, the technology used is specifically designed to maintain safety and address operational issues at this location.
Home Depot further clarified that it is not involved in coordination with immigration enforcement, countering claims of collaboration with authorities.
Community residents have reported physical symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness, linked to the noise generated by the devices. Andrei Sarazal, a local resident, described the toll the sound has taken on people frequenting the area. "We’re having problems directly with that sound today, every day,” Sarazal said. “When we eat, when we walk, when we talk, we feel dizziness, headaches, some people nauseous."
Other protesters have condemned the measures as dehumanizing. One advocate remarked, "They chose to weaponize sound… How are you going to come in and want to keep making money off our people and then dehumanize them?" Another community member stressed the importance of protecting those who contribute significantly to the business.
In its formal defense, Home Depot asserted that the noise devices and K barriers are intended to prevent illegal overnight parking and related issues specific to community safety.
Despite the visibility of the noise machines, questions remain about how frequently they are activated and the circumstances that trigger their use. During several hours of observation, the devices did not appear to engage.
As the call for a boycott continues, local city officials are expected to become more involved in addressing the community’s concerns regarding this contentious issue.
