Texan 7-Eleven uses Roaring Opera Music to Scare Homeless People

7-Eleven in Austin, Texas is playing opera music through its outdoor loudspeakers to deter homeless people from congregating around the store. This has been criticized by both neighbors and those who are not housed. “I was shocked by the volume of it. It was annoying, especially at this hour of the morning,” Jessica Cohen, a neighbor and frequent shopper, said. “I love classical music but this is just too rude.” Continue reading to learn more about how long this tactic has been used in the United States and what the company (and its competitors) think of it. 

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“No one wants to listen to classical music”

“I believe it’s for us to be homeless (people) and not on their property. Nobody wants to hear classical music. So they make us listen to classical music and don’t let us hang out in the garage,” Kevin Morgan, an Austin man who is unhoused, explained to KXAN. Morgan said that loud classical music began playing around a week prior to his interview. He stated that nobody likes the music as it goes all night. It plays all night and all day. 

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“Unfortunately, these tactic are not new or original”

The music has been complained of by local residents. One apartment resident living near the convenience store called the station to complain that he could hear loud music all night. Since 2023, Austin has received five complaints about the store. KXAN’s Daniela Silva, a former Austin City Councilmember candidate, stated that “Unfortunately these types of tactics aren’t new or original.”

“The reason people come here is because it’s a place where they can get food and water. There’s also a bus stop that allows people to get around. What we need to do is make sure people have access to the basic resources they need.

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Customers are “Scared to Go Here”

Fox News reported that a 7-Eleven franchisee in Austin said he has been playing classical music without any complaints because the homeless population is negatively impacting his business. Jagat Patel, store owner, stated that “especially a lot my female customers and my young clients are afraid to come here because there are always people hanging out in the lot soliciting money.”

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There are other stores that do the same thing

Fox News interviewed Patel on Sunday to say that he first started playing loud classical music 10 days ago after hearing other 7-Eleven locations doing the same thing. “Studies have shown the annoying nature of classical music. He said that opera is irritating and that he believes they are right because it works.

September 2019, the Los Angeles Times reported The tactic was used by a 7-Eleven North Hollywood. Lydia Erdman, cashier, said that they use it to discourage loitering. It is still popular with homeless people, but it is more appreciated by our customers. It was quite bad. It was an issue for quite a while.”

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Loitering—a.k.a. Homelessness—a Target

“In Los Angeles where it’s difficult to get far without seeing a red, orange, and green 7-Eleven sign, multiple owners have installed speakers to play the exact same playlist to drive away loiterers. Many of these owners and managers are homeless,” says the Times It was then reported.

7-Eleven was the largest retailer of bottled water in 2018 Modesto Bee They “test many programs in our stores” as well as “have received very positive feedback by our customers about how the music devices created an atmosphere in several 7-Eleven shops.”