Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Pain Ray" Humvees on Flatbush
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 14, 2008
Modified Apr 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 14, 2008
Modified Apr 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photograph by steuben on Flickr
Reader Daniel pointed our attention to this photograph of a military trailer, carrying Humvees and headed towards Manhattan on Flatbush. He noticed that the center one was "outfitted with the so-called non-lethal Active Denial System."
What's the Active Denial System, you ask? Here's how the AP described ADS in 2007: "The military calls its new weapon an 'active denial system,' but that's an understatement. It's a ray gun that shoots a beam that makes people feel as if they are about to catch fire."
As for why the Humvees were in the city, maybe they were shipped to the Red Hook Container Terminal and will be used to...help protect the Pope!
Tagged
active denial system
brooklyn
defense
flatbush avenue
Humvee
military
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: It's past time for a flu shot
Because cases are on the rise in New York, here are your early links: Winter Village in Bryant Park is already open, John Turturro tells cyclists in Prospect Park to chill out, the co-founder of techno music dies and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Nov 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Buzzer beater? MTA vows to turn this SoHo pit into a basketball court in 30 days.
Grand Canal Court has been closed since 2022.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Buzzer beater? MTA vows to turn this SoHo pit into a basketball court in 30 days.
Grand Canal Court has been closed since 2022.
By
Liam Quigley
NYC's school PTA fundraising gap is growing, mirroring broader racial disparities
By
Joe Hong
MTA should eliminate some jobs to prepare for budget woes, watchdog writes
By
Stephen Nessen
NYC Council to scrutinize snow removal plans as winter approaches
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .