Fast Food Restaurant Dumps Water On People, Blares Recording To Deter Loitering: Reports

SAN DIEGO — A Jack in the Box in downtown San Diego has come under fire for dousing people with water and blaring a recorded message in an effort to deter loitering, according to KGTV.

The outlet reported earlier this week that sprinklers were being used outside the C Street restaurant, along with a recording that advised people to “Buy something or bounce. The clown is watching,” seemingly referring to the chain’s mascot.

Neighbors told KGTV that unhoused people sometimes gather near the restaurant.

One customer who stopped in for a breakfast sandwich was caught in the spray, which damaged her electric bike, she told KGTV.

“It’s a harassment,” Brandi James told the outlet. “I’m a paying customer and spend money here every day.”

In a follow-up story, KGTV reported that the recording and anti-loitering sprinkler system had been disabled by Jack in the Box, in connection with an internal investigation, and that the company told the outlet it was "concerned by what they saw."