Classical Music Deters Crime?

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Aug 19, 2006

Following the lead of Scandanavian stores, three co-ops in Cumbria decided to air Vivaldi and other classical composers on loudspeakers outside the store premises. The theory is that the music is unhip and will therefore drive loitering gangs away. Store staff and local police seemed to be satisfied with the results, but what if their plans backfire? What if Mozart replaces Metallica as the new hip sound? I am curious to see if future experiments in "social sound engineering" will achieve the desired results.