Hollywood strip mall uses music to deter homeless people

What was meant to be a peaceful deterrent has become an unexpected neighborhood nuisance, residents say.

The owner of a strip mall near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street has been blasting classical music overnight in an attempt to prevent loitering and camping in the parking lot — a strategy that’s drawing mixed reactions from the community.

The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, began playing the music about three weeks ago. The playlist, which runs from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., is meant to discourage people from sleeping or engaging in illicit activity on the property.

Before the nightly concerts began, business tenants would often arrive to find the complex littered, vandalized, or used for drug activity, he told KTLA. He described the tactic as the only approach that has shown results so far, saying some unhoused individuals have since moved away from the area entirely.

But nearby residents say the tactic is taking a toll on their quality of life.

“Very disruptive to your sleep pattern,” said Troy Bridges, who lives near the plaza. He told KTLA that the volume fluctuates through the night, sometimes rising sharply in the early morning hours.

Another neighbor, identified only as Helen, said she closes her windows, turns up her television, and even runs a fan at night to block out the sound. Still, residents say they aren’t convinced the strategy to keep homeless individuals away is actually working.

The strip mall owner maintains that the music is being played within legal decibel limits and is in compliance with city code. He also told KTLA that police have not raised any concerns about the practice. While the practice may comply with city code, it’s part of a growing trend among businesses searching for ways to discourage encampments.

The use of loud or repetitive music as a deterrent isn’t unique to Hollywood. Businesses in downtown Los Angeles have used similar methods, including blasting the children’s song “Baby Shark,” to discourage people from congregating or setting up encampments outside their storefronts.

Still, some nearby residents argue that the approach is only a temporary fix. “Sure, the classical music is a short-term solution, but maybe the long-term solution is helping people off the street,” one local resident told KTLA, noting that the tactic doesn’t address the underlying causes of homelessness.

Rachel Menitoff contributed to this article.