Customers at a San Diego location of a Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant say they are being drenched without warning by sprinklers mounted on the building as an anti-loitering measure.
A reporter with the Scripps News Group station in San Diego witnessed the sprinklers turning on while covering a different story in the area.
The downpour is accompanied by a 25-second recorded announcement apparently aimed at discouraging people from gathering near the building.
"Attention loiterers," it begins. "You are blocking the drive-thru … Buy something or bounce. The clown is watching … Move. Now. Jack says so,” the announcement continues.
The "clown" is likely referring to the original Jack in the Box mascot.
Neighbors near the location said the sprinkler system began operating sometime last week, running at three different points around the building, with intervals of several minutes between each spray cycle.
Customer Brandi James said she got caught in the sprinklers last week, just after leaving the restaurant with a meal.
"I went in to get a breakfast sandwich. I came out and had my electric bike on the steps. There was water coming down, sprinkling all over me and my bike," James said.
She claimed the soaking damaged her bike.
"Now it's like squeaky when I try to ride it,” James said. "It's a harassment. It’s wrong … I’m a paying customer and spend money here every day.”
Donica McArthur said she was also drenched, and felt like there was no consideration for who might be in the area when the system activated.
"They don't give you a warning. They don't give you a countdown," McArthur said. "I could have been an older woman, a disabled person with a walker. I felt disrespected, and I’m in shock …This seems inhumane.”
A spokesperson with Jack in the Box issued the following statement about the sprinkler system:
"Like many Jack in the Box restaurants, this location uses an audio-based device to help maintain a safe, clean and comfortable environment for guests and employees. The voice recording used in this instance does not reflect Jack in the Box’s brand standards or values and was not approved by Jack in the Box. It has been immediately disabled.
The water system mentioned is a ground-surface cleaning mechanism that automatically cleans the ground area in between routine pressure washing. It is not positioned to interfere with guests or passersby.
We recognize the importance of treating everyone in the communities we serve, including people experiencing homelessness, with dignity and respect. Our goal is to support measures that keep the neighborhood peaceful, the restaurant clean and safe, and our guests and employees comfortable."
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
This story was originally published by Michael Chen with the Scripps News Group in San Diego.
