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TACOMA, Wash. - City authorities, fed up with gang activity in public places, are taking Bach their bus stop.
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Transit workers are installing speakers this week to pump classical music from Seattle's KING-FM into the Tacoma Mall Transit Center. The tactic is designed to disperse young criminals who make drug deals at the bus stop or use public transportation to circulate between the mall and other trouble-prone places.

The attack by Bach, Brahms and Beethoven follows the theory that prompted the city to stage pinochle games on dangerous street corners: Jolting the routine in such spots throws criminals off balance.

"It's based on routine activity theory and situational crime prevention. You mix different types of activities in locations that are crime-ridden to change the composition of the environment," said psychologist Jacqueline Helfgott, who chairs the Criminal Justice Department at Seattle University.

Skeptics include Tony Wilson, a bus driver for 18 years.

"It could do one of two things: It could calm the beast, or it could just stir things up," Wilson said. "I think the reason we don't have music on the buses is that you can't please everyone. It would just cause drama."

If the stream of divertimentos, scherzos and polonaises reduces disorder at the mall, speakers may be installed at more bus stops, said Rod Baker, chief of public safety for Pierce Transit.

"We want to create an atmosphere that is safe for our passengers," Baker said. "If this has an impact on encouraging people to move elsewhere instead of hanging around and loitering around an area, then why not?"

Vrahmel Obleanis, 19, playing a Nintendo GameBoy at the mall bus stop, said troublemakers won't like the orchestral strains, but they'll probably just move somewhere out of earshot.

"They'll say, 'This is whack,' and go over and hang out at the mall or by Babies 'R' Us," Obleanis said. "The music isn't going to change the attitude of the kids."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070730...stop_mozart;_ylt=AhWjb0sfCxn99x_d.8liVpjtiBIF

this is pretty weird :lol

 

[GaimeGuy]

Awesome :lol

 

[el jacko]

Hah! Unconventional, I like it. Besides, who wouldn't want to listen to classical music? It'd be particularly nice on a crowded bus/subway; it'd take some of the edge off the commute.

It'd be cool if this works out, and they started doing it in NYC on the subways.

 

[Baby Milo]

im sure this will stop them from making that money

 

[GSG Flash]

Haha I bet they'd just end up shooting the speakers.

 

[Umino]

Wouldn't that encourage a bit 'o the ultraviolence?

 

[thomaser]

One day they will slip up, put on a symphony by Shostakovich, and cause riots in the streets.

 

[galdevo]

"It could do one of two things: It could calm the beast, or it could just stir things up," Wilson said.

Cool quote of the day confirmed.

+1 for coming from a bus driver

 

[funkmastergeneral]

or maybe the music will have the gangs starting to do A clockwork Orange like antics. Nothing like rape with some orchestral music in the backround

 

[fallout]

Wouldn't that encourage a bit 'o the ultraviolence?

:lol Yeah, what's better than blowing away some punk set to the theme of The Fifth.

 

[Umino]

I'd wear the get-up every day and beat people with canes.

 

[McBacon]

In Saints Row on the 360, they have a Classical Music station and it is the best music, bar none, to cause manic destruction to.

 

[JayDubya]

You know the first thing that came to mind was Clockwork Orange. And that's been done.

The second thing that came to mind was "JETS *snap* JETS *snap* SHARKS *snap* SHARKS *snap*"

 

[Scopebob Sniperpants]

City authorities, fed up with gang activity in public places, are taking Bach their bus stop.

:lol :lol

 

[Gowans]

They do this at my local Bus Station, I dont think it makes a difference, once I was sat there and then Abba came on I wanted to die!

 

[Bizarro Sun Yat-sen]

in my city the bus stop speakers will blast Webern 24/7

 

[shuri]

I remember reading the same article 5 years ago

 

[Tarazet]

in my city the bus stop speakers will blast Webern 24/7

I will kill fellow Second Viennese School acolytes to live there.

 

[NumberTwo]

Wait. You mean there are people who DON'T like classical music?

F_ck them.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

The classical station in GTA3 was the best soundtrack for mowing people down with your car. They're not doing it right.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Wouldn't that encourage a bit 'o the ultraviolence?

I came in here to say that.:lol

Larmamie is banned?

 

[rakka]

Won't do a thing.

Classical music is for gansters too.

 

[BocoDragon]

What you need to do is develop a martial art that is the set to the rhythm of classical music.... then take your style downtown and rule the streets.

 

[mattx5]

City authorities, fed up with gang activity in public places, are taking Bach their bus stop.

It's funny because this makes no sense whatsoever when you say it properly.
Almost genius.

 

[Ferrio]

It's funny because this makes no sense whatsoever when you say it properly.
Almost genius.

Welcome to the world of puns.

 

[sonatinas]

in my city the bus stop speakers will blast Webern 24/7

You are going to hear all of his works while waiting for the bus.

 

[mugwhump]

They do this at my local Bus Station, I dont think it makes a difference, once I was sat there and then Abba came on I wanted to die!

Die... from happiness? >_>

 

[WickedAngel]

I'm sure they'll appreciate the free speakers when they manage to get them back home.

 

[fallout]

It's funny because this makes no sense whatsoever when you say it properly.
Almost genius.

It truly should be a punishable offense.

 

[aoi tsuki]

I'm sure they'll appreciate the free speakers when they manage to get them back home.

It would be awesome if the music was coming from inside the speakers.

 

[Armitage]

Earplug sales; number of crimes skyrocket.

 

[Pellham]

so what happens when gangs start getting into classical music? its stupid to assume that gangs would hate that stuff.

 

[Beezy]

I'm sure they'll appreciate the free speakers when they manage to get them back home.

:lol

Edit: I think opera music would work much better.

 

[bishoptl]

This isn't new. The 7-11's in my city have been doing this for a decade. Country, too. The kids hate it. :lol

 

[Ford Prefect]

"They'll say, 'This is whack,' and go over and hang out at the mall or by Babies 'R' Us," Obleanis said.

:lol

Do you think they'll rate and time the playlist so that music at higher levels of whack-ness will play during more dangerous times of day?

 

[temp]

"They'll say, 'This is whack,' and go over and hang out at the mall or by Babies 'R' Us,"

Awesome.

 

[MercuryLS]

GTA3 was best played when tuned to the classical channel. Maybe this will make them more dangerous? :O

 

[temp]

GTA3 was best played when tuned to the classical channel. Maybe this will make them more dangerous? :O

Or they'll be having more fun, anyway.

 

[D-Fens]

This isn't new. The 7-11's in my city have been doing this for a decade. Country, too. The kids hate it. :lol

The 7-11 by my school plays classical music all the time, pretty loud too. If that's the reason, then :lol

 

[Oldschoolgamer]

:lol Good luck.

 

[Forgotten Ancient]

Someone was eating popcorn at my desk. It's all over the place.