Jonathan Eilbracht, director of strategic programming with the West Central Indiana Partnership, explains to Jim Jensen, the executive director of facilities, operations and maintenance at Indiana State University, how the new automated laser system works with an app on top of the Sycamore Building on Thursday. Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
A new automated laser system to deter crows from roosting in high-traffic areas was introduced to the city Thursday morning by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and the West Central Indiana Partnership.
The crow deterrent laser was recommended by Wild Goose Chase, a national company specializing in avian mitigation efforts. It now stands atop the Sycamore Building, chosen for the duty as it is the tallest building in the downtown area.
Those in the downtown area from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. will be able to see the green laser dancing about the sky, running at random intervals in different areas to prevent the crows from adapting to the light pattern.
“When it pops around, they’re not able to anticipate where it’s going to be,” said Jonathan Eilbracht, Director of Strategic Programming with the West Central Indiana Partnership. “So, they’re less likely to roost in certain areas if they don’t know where it’s going to go.”
Covering an area that stretches from the Vigo County Courthouse to Hulman Center, the laser targets only rooftops and building facades where crows tend to gather.
It does not shine at street level, into windows or onto reflective surfaces, ensuring the safety and comfort of residents and visitors. The device is currently operating at 100% brightness, though adjustments may be made later based on its effectiveness.
The laser does not harm the birds. It simply annoys them enough to encourage them to roost elsewhere.
The system was installed and programmed sooner than expected, on Tuesday evening, by Wild Goose Chase. The project took approximately three hours to complete.
The laser, built by Avix Automatic, cost slightly more than $18,000, Eilbracht said. Wild Goose Chase was paid $4,000 for the study that eventually recommended the laser. Both bills were covered by the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board.
Wild Goose Chase found there were approximately 18,000 crows roosting in the downtown area.
Jim Jensen, in charge of Indiana State University’s campus facilities operations and maintenance, said the school has been trying for years to reduce the number of crows on campus and would work with the city to ensure that their crow deterrent efforts are complementary.
If the pilot program proves successful, Eilbracht said, the city may add another one or two lasers, including one on the ISU campus.
“There are buildings that we aren’t able to cover from the Sycamore Building [due to line of sight issues] that we could potentially cover from other buildings,” he added.
The laser will remain in place beginning in November through the winter months before being taken down in March for storage during the summer, a measure that will extend the lifespan of the equipment.
Wild Goose Chase will return periodically to re-evaluate the system’s effectiveness and monitor whether the crows have relocated to other densely populated areas.
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