LA Strip Mall Uses Classical Music to Deter Drug Use
In an unusual but strategic move, a strip mall in Los Angeles has resorted to blasting classical music throughout the night to combat disturbances from local drug-using vagrants. As neighbors express mixed feelings about the effectiveness and volume of this solution, some assert it is a necessary measure to enhance security in the area.
Located adjacent to the Walk of Fame, the Gower Plaza begins its musical exodus at 9:30 p.m. and continues for a grueling 12 hours, playing at levels that some describe as ear-splitting.
“It’s much too loud,” admitted Christina Barbero, a 41-year-old resident. “But it keeps the transients from attacking customers and cuts down crime.” This sentiment reflects the stark reality of the area, where crime statistics reveal a 64% increase above the national average, with violent crimes surging to a staggering 139% higher than average.
Photo by Barbara Davidson for the N.Y. Post
A recent incident witnessed by Barbero—a homeless man assaulting a pizza delivery driver in the plaza’s parking lot—has intensified support for this unconventional deterrent. “The music has genuinely helped shoo away vagrants,” she commented. “I appreciate what the owners have done; the area feels much safer these days.”
The music, featuring classics such as Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, emanates from speakers connected to surveillance cameras mounted on a portable trailer. This system, provided by LiveView Technologies, allows for real-time monitoring and includes an automated voice that instructs people to vacate the premises.
Barbero’s fiancé, Angel Wright, 50, recognized that the setup does more than just play tunes. “It gets you to look up so they get a better shot of your face,” he said, adding concerns about privacy violations.
Photo by Barbara Davidson for the N.Y. Post
Echoing the concerns of his neighbors, Paul Twarowski, a 34-year-old who recently relocated to Hollywood from Denver, described the atmosphere as occasionally frightening due to the prevalence of drug addiction. “It’s alarming how many individuals can become volatile after using drugs like fentanyl,” he explained.
For local residents like Ashley Luna, 17, and her sister Kimberly, 16, who live next to the mall, this strategy has both positive and negative consequences. “The music keeps homeless individuals from settling down here,” Ashley stated, though she also conceded, “It gets annoying sometimes. It can make it hard to sleep when you hear the same song on a loop.”
Photo by Barbara Davidson for the N.Y. Post
Despite the grievances, complaints about the incessant noise have yielded little response from authorities, including local police and city council members. “I’m at my wit’s end with this,” lamented a Domino’s staff member, Jeffery Diaz, 27. “There’s little care shown for residents’ wellbeing.”
The center, located just minutes from the iconic Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held, houses various businesses including a nail salon, a sushi restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, and 7-Eleven, and shares a block with a Salvation Army center that serves the homeless. The mall is also in proximity to local courts dealing with mental health cases.
The Post has reached out to the Gower Plaza’s managerial team for insights on the ongoing musical strategy, which remains a topic of heated debate among locals.
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