In Los Angeles, strip malls are using classical music to deter crowds of vagrants, creating a louder environment overnight.
The music starts at 9:30 PM and plays for 12 hours at Gower Plaza, which is near popular tourist areas.
Local resident Christina Barbero, 41, mentioned the loudness but noted that the music seems to keep vagrants away and may help reduce crime.
Barbero recently saw a homeless individual attack a pizza delivery driver, and since the music began, she feels the area has been safer. “I appreciate what the owners did. It has made a difference,” she remarked.
The musical choice includes pieces like Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne, blasted from speakers set on surveillance cameras positioned on a portable trailer.
This setup by LiveView Technologies not only plays music but also feeds real-time images to a security center that can then instruct people to leave.
Crime in Hollywood is reportedly 64% above the national average, with violent crime at 139% higher.
Angel Wright, Barbero’s fiancé, expressed discomfort with the surveillance aspect, calling it an invasion of privacy.
Nearby resident Paul Twarovski, 34, who moved from Denver, shared concerns about drug-related violence in the area. “It’s sad to see folks lose control because of drugs,” he said.
Local teens Ashley and Kimberly Luna mentioned that while they understand the intent behind the music, it can be annoying. They find it hard to sleep due to the repetitive sound.
Recently, Reddit users have voiced complaints about the volume of the music, with one person noting they measured it at 80 dB, stating it could be heard indoors from two blocks away.
A staff member at the nearby Domino’s, Jeffrey Diaz, also criticized the situation, calling it excessive.
Despite multiple complaints, calls to the police and local officials have gone unanswered, leaving residents feeling ignored.
The shopping center near the Dolby Theatre features various businesses, including nail salons, sushi restaurants, and convenience stores, and it is also in close proximity to a Salvation Army center for the homeless.
Additionally, it’s located near a court handling mental health cases, which has drawn some notorious individuals.
This story reached out to the strip mall management for comments.
