Hollywood mall Gower Plaza blasts music to deter vagrants

A Los Angeles strip mall located near the city’s Walk of Fame has resorted to blasting classical music overnight in an effort to keep drug-using vagrants away. The music, which starts at 9:30 p.m. and continues for 12 hours, is played at ear-splitting levels to deter unwanted individuals from loitering in the area.

One neighbor, Christina Barbero, mentioned that while the music is too loud, it has been effective in preventing attacks on customers and reducing crime in the vicinity. She recounted an incident where a homeless man assaulted a pizza delivery driver in the mall’s parking lot, highlighting the need for such drastic measures.

The orchestral tunes, including pieces like Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, are emitted from a speaker attached to surveillance cameras mounted on a portable trailer. The setup, provided by LiveView Technologies, not only plays music but also shares real-time images with a security center and issues warnings to trespassers.

Residents in the area have mixed feelings about the unconventional tactic. While some appreciate the sense of safety it brings, others find the noise disruptive and invasive. Paul Twarowski, a recent transplant from Denver, acknowledged the prevalence of drug addiction in the neighborhood and the challenges it poses in maintaining public safety.

Sisters Ashley Luna and Kimberly, who live in an apartment adjacent to the mall, noted the effectiveness of the music in deterring homeless individuals from camping out in the area. However, they also expressed frustration over the constant noise, which makes it difficult to sleep at night or in the morning.

Despite the positive impact on security, some community members have raised concerns about the excessive noise levels. A Reddit user reported measuring the sound at 80 decibels and being able to hear it from two blocks away indoors. Calls for assistance to authorities have gone unanswered, leaving residents feeling neglected by city officials.

The strip mall, which houses various businesses including a nail salon, sushi restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, and 7-Eleven, is situated near the Dolby Theatre and a Salvation Army center that aids the homeless population. Additionally, a branch of Los Angeles Superior Court handling mental health cases is located nearby, highlighting the diverse challenges faced by the neighborhood.

As complaints about the loud music persist, residents and business owners seek a resolution to balance security concerns with quality of life in the community. The strip mall manager has not responded to requests for comment on the situation. The world has seen a significant shift in consumer behavior over the past year, with more and more people turning to online shopping for their everyday needs. This trend has only been accelerated by the global pandemic, as people have been forced to stay home and limit their interactions with others. As a result, e-commerce has become an essential part of everyday life for many people.

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