Businesses in Tacoma are turning up the volume on classical music, hoping to scare away loiterers and criminal activity. However, this tactic has not been music to everyone's ears. The stores, including a 7-Eleven on South Trafton Street and a Walgreens on Pacific Avenue, are cranking the tunes and facing a chorus of complaints from neighbors over the noise. According to a report by KOMO News, the differing opinions have highlighted a divide, with some supporting the businesses in their efforts to keep the peace, while others question the method.
Jordan Grant, a Tacoma resident, found the situation off-key, telling KOMO News, "It’s honestly kind of crazy. You show up and you’re just listening to classical music." Despite these measures, the Tacoma Police Department indicated that they are actively seeking to resolve the issue, which doesn't fall under their jurisdiction but rather code enforcement. They acknowledged the revolving door of complaints still hanging open without any tangible solutions that residents and businesses have had to deal with, as per a report by KIRO 7.
While deterring unwanted loitering might ring true for some store owners, the approach is striking a sour note among advocates for the homeless and others who argue it is a form of hostile architecture. This term is commonly used to describe the incorporation of physical elements into public spaces that are meant to discourage people from using them in unintended ways, like sleeping on benches or camping out. "I can understand the frustration of businesses who find people on their doorstep every morning. My wish is that all of us, business owners and residents would spend our energy demanding that our governments create solutions to homelessness," Rob Huff, a spokesperson for the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, told The News Tribune. He pointed out that rather than spending thousands on deterrents like music or physical barriers, those funds could be more effectively used to address the root issues of homelessness.
The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of the situation—businesses are seeking ways to to safely operate, while neighboring residents and advocates call for a more harmonious solution that doesn't just push the problem out of sight. What will unfold in the upcoming days might likely influence policies and approaches toward handling such urban social dilemmas not only in Tacoma but also in other cities facing similar challenges. But for now, the classical music battle in Tacoma reflects the discord between quick fixes and the fundamental tune-ups that many argue are necessary to address the underlying issues.
