California shop cranks classical music to dissuade loitering

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — A California 7-Eleven has found a way to keep people from panhandling and loitering outside the store: crank up classical music.

Sukhi Sandhu, who owns the franchise in Modesto, says his customers tell him they feel safer since he started blasting symphonies and occasional operas over outdoor speakers.

Manuel Souza tells the Modesto Bee that once the music started, the riffraff left. The 47-year-old, who’s homeless, jokingly refers to himself as part of that group. He told the newspaper last week that the loud music makes it hard to hang out and joke around.

Sandhu says the classical music is part of a 7-Eleven program that encourages non-confrontational methods to reduce loitering.

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Information from: The Modesto Bee, http://www.modbee.com