Using Music as a Deterrent for People Congregating

In various cities around the world, city officials are using certain types of music to deter unwanted behavior like homeless people sleeping in properties or teenagers congregating in parking lots. Songs like "Baby Shark" and "Raining Tacos" are being played late in the night to shoo people away though some are just sleeping through it.

Now, “Baby Shark” and “Raining Tacos” are being used by city officials in West Palm Beach, Fla., as a property management tool.

To deter people experiencing homelessness from sleeping overnight at the city’s Lake Pavilion and Great Lawn, venues that offer “million-dollar views” for special events, West Palm Beach officials began playing the catchy, obnoxious tunes three weeks ago from strategically situated speakers.

Others use classical music to disrupt crowds of teenagers from parking lots. Many people might find it soothing but their reasoning for playing it is that teenagers seem to dislike classical music so naturally they would move away from it.

But is using music as a means to deter certain types of behavior really effective?

(Image credit: Pao Edu/Unsplash)