The Mystery Of The Menacing Chimes In Northern Virginia

[2naSalit]

2. Yes.

“We were actually testing our Giant Voice System on Monday evening,” says Anastazia Clouting, a spokesperson for Anacostia-Bolling.

Turns out, the military installation issued a warning on its Facebook page: “Please be advised, there will be maintenance on the Giant Voice System this afternoon which may cause it to go off. At present, there are no real-world emergencies.” (Presumably, if folks could hear the Giant Voice System from across the river, people closer by were also treated to the sound.)

Clouting confirms that the Giant Voice System, which is what Department of Defense facilities use to send out safety messages, did indeed go off on Monday. “I remember being relieved — at least it’s bells and not, you know, nuclear sirens,” she says. “That can be kind of unnerving when you’re trying to get your work done.”