It's a street-corner duel: Beethoven vs. Snoop Doggy Dogg.
But no victor has yet been declared as teens continue to play their boom boxes while the city blares classical music from speakers at the 25th Street and Washington Boulevard bus stop.The loud music is part of an effort by police, the Utah Transit Authority and local businesses to discourage teens and transients from loitering at the busy corner.
Last month, city officials attempted to rout the boom boxes and guitar players with an assault by Bach and Beethoven courtesy of KBYU 89.1 out of Provo. The FM radio station was chosen for its playlist and because it does not charge a fee for broadcasting privileges.
The music can be heard 24 hours a day but is turned off when religious programming is broadcast to avoid offending anyone, police Sgt. Wes Peterson said.
And to chase off unwanted nappers in the nearby Municipal Gardens, the city has altered its watering schedule to occur during the day.
Peterson, who oversees the city's community policing projects, said authorities were having problems with people spending their entire day in the park. He said complaints from people waiting for the bus ranged from hearing profanity to individuals playing loud music and tying up benches.
"We picked music that would not be appealing to them and redesigned the flower boxes so they wouldn't be as convenient to sit on," Peterson said.
Alterations to the flower boxes will include brick facing and pitched concrete surfaces that will make it somewhat uncomfortable for seating. The modifications are to be done next month.
All of this seemed lost Tuesday afternoon on 18-year-old Nathan Gorton, who lives a few blocks away and often meets his friends at the popular bus stop.
"Yeah, I noticed the music, but I haven't ever thought about why they were playing it," said Gorton as he turned down his boom box to give his opinion.
Crossroads Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City has been using easy-listening music for two years to combat the same problems in front of its buildings, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Phil Kirk.