Transit Cops Turn to Music to Fight Crime
BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston transit police have enlisted the late American composers George Gershwin and John Philip Sousa in their fight against crime.
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MBTA officials said the sounds of brass and strings blaring over the newly installed speakers are already having their desired effect, reducing crowds at the Forest Hills station, where there had been two to three fights daily.
Although several youths have complained about the music, fewer of them are loitering — to the delight of officials and those who work in the station.
The success of the program has led other public offices and venues to adopt various musical styles in an attempt to reduce their maddening throngs. Among the most successful has been the downtown Boston Social Security office, which has begun to play various rap and hip-hop artists in an effort to drive away retirees.
Office manager Chutney Wilkes says that while both Eminem and Dr. Dre are quite effective, “Lil Kim is the best. We hadn’t seen no patrons other than Mr. Anderson since we began playing Notorious KIM everyday, ’cause he’s deaf or somethin.”
Mr. Anderson agreed, loudly proclaiming “You betcha, sport. Four for a quarter and change left over! You try and find dog food like that today.”
With a grant from the V.A., the office staff have begun investigating various powerful sub-woofers and the deterrent effects of very low bass on Mr. Anderson. If successful, the V.A. hopes to deploy a similar system around its health care facilities in the near future.
The historic home of Paul Revere has reported dwindling crowds since it began broadcasting Anne Murray, and the Boston Public Library has recorded only a single visitor in the month since it began broadcasting Bon Jovi.
Other songs and their affects;
“Stand By Your Man” repels Hilary Clinton. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” does the same to Bill. Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen” attracts both, while repelling Trent Lott. During the period 1965-1973 the songs As the Caissons Go Rolling Along, Anchors Aweigh and Wild Blue Yonder reportedly repulsed George Bush and Dick Cheney, though the effect seems to have reversed as each aged. I Guard America has always attracted the President, however.
