HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — If you want to hear a stirring rendition of the classical composition “The Blue Danube”, you may choose to attend the Houston Symphony or catch a visiting performer. You probably wouldn’t think of finding it at a busy downtown underpass.
“When I first came, it was good to listen to it, but after a while, you keep listening to the same thing, and sometimes I start humming it and I’m like, huh,” Thomas, a man experiencing homelessness, said.
It’s mostly the unhoused you’ll find spending significant time at the Pierce elevated underpasses at Main and Fannin. Those who spoke to ABC13 said they remember hearing the music for months, while others said years. What some could agree on is why it’s classical music, loud, and on a loop.
“Cause of the homeless. Cause of the homeless and all the other things that go on through the city, and they’re right here under the bridge all the time,” David, a man experiencing homelessness, said.
ABC13 reached out to the Mayor’s office, City Council, and METRO to determine who installed the speakers, whether the music is, in fact, intended to deter people from camping and sitting at these underpasses, and what other resources are being provided to those in need. No one has responded to our inquiries.
David said he feels it does keep people on the move, and he believes dangerous activity, such as drug dealing, is lower. But he’s not sure loud music is the answer either.
“Just give us some help, if y’all come out and give us the right help that we need, we wouldn’t have to sit out here all day,” David said.
David said he was approved for housing and will be moving in at the end of the month to get off the streets and away from the music, but he hopes more will be done for the people still living in the underpasses.
ABC13 looked into whether other cities have started playing loud classical music in certain areas. The only reports found are coming out of Los Angeles, where city departments and business owners have acknowledged they play loud classical music to deter the homeless from being in certain areas.
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