A lot of us feel like we're steps away from going into full on PURGE mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic but if you live in Crowley, Louisiana, you might have heard a familiar sound that made you think the annual fictional event was about to commence.
Video obtained by the local Scripps affiliate "KATC", show various squad cars patrolling empty streets and blaring the siren used in the movie to signal the start of the Purge, a yearly tradition during which all laws are suspended for a brief period. Louisiana officials have implemented stay-at-home orders and closed nonessential businesses amid the spread of coronavirus in the state. The virus has infected nearly 15,000 in the state and killed more than 500. The curfew begins at 9:00PM and ends at 6:00AM. You can check out the video of the sound of the siren below:
Police officials told KATC that the siren's origin was not made clear to them before its use on city streets, adding that they would not use a siren going forward. A sheriff's department representing Acadia Parish, in which Crowley is located, issued the following statement after the views was released:
"Last night a 'Purge Siren' was utilized by the Crowley Police Department as part of their starting curfew. We have received numerous complaints with the belief that our agency was involved in this process. We were not involved in the use of the "Purge Siren" and will not utilize any type of siren for this purpose."
THE PURGE franchise present a near-future dystopian America which celebrates an annual national holiday known as the Purge, in which all crimes, including murder, are legal for a 12-hour period. Beginning in 2013, the franchise has grossed over $446 million worldwide across four films against a combined production budget of $35.5 million. The franchise has also spawned a television series.
So Acadia Parish isn't taking the blame on this one but they did say to direct concerned calls to Crowley Police / Chief Broussard, whose department may have been responsible for the siren. Either way, this likely wasn't an accident and someone on the force has a morbid sense of humor and was looking for a laugh during some very uncertain times. It definitely game me a chuckle but considering it doesn't feel like we're too far away from an event like this in real life, it may ring a bit too true for a practical joke.
For the sake of the joke, how would YOU survive The Purge?