Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
The commonwealth hopes to deter some unwelcome visitors from coming to the Capitol building in Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced on Tuesday that it will begin its months-long “Crow Dispersal Program” on Nov. 6.
The annual program uses U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved methods of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting on the buildings.
“Each year, for the past 26 years, the Capitol Police have implemented anti-roosting measures to keep crows off of the Capitol Complex – along with the hazards they can create,” Capitol Police Superintendent Joe Jacob said. “Since our measures include explosive shells and whistling devices, we always give the surrounding community advance notice to avoid any unnecessary panic or alarm.”
The program aims to disperse crows in order to help reduce slipping hazards for pedestrians due to a possible increase of crow waste that can accumulate on sidewalks, especially in wet weather. The crow waste can also cause damage to buildings in the Capitol Complex.
According to the state, the methods are non-lethal and not harmful to people, crows, other animals, or the environment.
The program will continue through the next few months and occur daily between 5 to 7 p.m., until the crows have been effectively dispersed.
For more information, visit the Department of General Services’ Crow Dispersal Program website.
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