Austin 7-Eleven owner says he uses opera music as a deterrent against homeless people and lawyers.

Austin, Texas. A business owner in South Austin turns on loud opera music to scare away people who beg and leave things on his property.

Jagat Patel is the owner of a 7-Eleven store at the intersection of East Altorf Street and Parker Lane.

“The music we’ve been playing for 10 days now is 24/7,” Patel said.

Patel said it happened after there were problems with a homeless camp next to the store.

“Three or four people wait and come to your window asking for money or things they need, and often when the client refuses they kick a tire or get upset. So it affects our business,” Patel said.

Patel said he also found items on his property.

“I had to pay a private company to come and clean my shop yard because it was full of needles and my landscapist wouldn’t service the yard. He’s from next door because you know they throw things over the fence,” Patel said. .

He said he hoped the music would serve as a deterrent.

“We’ve heard of other companies coming up with solutions to figure out how to keep people out of the parking lot,” Patel said. “Research has shown that classical musical, operatic music is annoying and prevents people from getting together.”

Salem stays at the homeless camp and hears the music.

“Absolutely unpleasant and, I don’t know, it’s just a nightmare. Incredibly loud. Two or three times we could hear it on the other side of the complex,” Salem said.

She said it wasn’t necessary and didn’t think they were doing anything wrong.

“It’s never been a problem as far as I can see,” she said.

Patel said he’s noticed a change since he started playing music.

“Customers tell us, ‘Hey, there’s no one in the parking lot. No one came to my window to ask for a dollar.” Customers say it works,” Patel said.

Matt Fernandez on social media: Facebook | Twitter

KVU in social networks: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube