Share
A McDonald’s restaurant in midtown Sacramento is trying to drive away homeless people by loudly playing nonstop bagpipe music.
The tactic isn’t working and it is also annoying the neighbors of the restaurant, which is open 24 hours a day.
“It actually penetrates through the walls. We can hear it (when) I’m trying to watch TV or whatever and it’s going through that,” Arnold Phillips told Sacramento television station CBS13.
Bagpipes Tactic Is ‘Absurd,’ Says Neighbor
Another neighbor, Kiara Reede, called the tactic “an absurd action to take instead of actually dealing with the issue.”
Patrons who ate at the restaurant Friday told CBS13 they’re weren’t pleased by the sound of blaring bagpipes.
“It was offensive to me because it was just so annoying,” Susan Smart said.
Phillips, meanwhile, complained to the restaurant’s managers.
“They said they’d talk to corporate people up higher. That’s all they said they could do really,” Phillips said.
Sacramento Homelessness Is on the Rise
Seventy percent of homeless people in Sacramento County were living in unsheltered conditions in a 2019 count, up from 56% in 2017 and 40% in 2015, The Sacramento Bee reported in December.
Overall, Sacramento’s survey found 5,570 people are homeless on a given night, up 19% from 2017.
President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the homeless problem in California. HUD said a national increase seen in its January 2019 snapshot was caused “entirely” by a 16.4% increase in California’s homeless population.
Music Tactic Used Before
The tactic of discouraging homeless people and loiterers with music isn’t new.
In 2018, a San Francisco Burger King and a 7-Eleven tried using classical music.
And, back in 1985, a Canadian 7-Eleven played Mozart in its parking lots. The tactic became store policy at almost 200 locations.
Watch: Bagpipe Backlash in Sacramento
RELATED TOPICS:
Three Missing Fresno Teens Found Safe After Nine Days
2 hours ago
State Center Trustees Vote for Special Interest Giveaway Over Students: Opinion
3 hours ago
Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent
3 hours ago
Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field
3 hours ago
Prosecutors Directed to Seek Death Penalty Against Luigi Mangione
3 hours ago
NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says
3 hours ago
March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four
3 hours ago
Kings County Authorities Recover Stolen Tractor. Suspect Faces Prop 36 Penalty
3 hours ago
Americans Rate Canada, Japan Most Favorably. Israel Sparks Record Partisan Divide: Gallup
4 hours ago
Flores Homers and Drives in 4 to Lead Giants Over Astros
4 hours ago
Hooters Goes Bust and Files for Bankruptcy Protection
5 minutes ago
Categories

Hooters Goes Bust and Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Destiny Christine Brown

Three Missing Fresno Teens Found Safe After Nine Days

State Center Trustees Vote for Special Interest Giveaway Over Students: Opinion

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

Prosecutors Directed to Seek Death Penalty Against Luigi Mangione
