The internet is in a tizzy after it was revealed that children were playing popular songs at a shopping center in Canada. baby shark, On the loop, to prevent homeless people from wandering around the premises, especially at the fire emergency stairwell. Complex Desjardins, a mall and office complex in downtown Montreal confirmed to Canadian website cbc Due to security reasons, it was playing music for the last one year. Mall spokesman Jean-Benoît Turcotti said the music was installed “because we were having problems in these areas”.
According to Mr. Turcotti, since the mall began playing the song on loop, fewer homeless people have been seen in the area.
“Since the installation of this sound solution, we have seen an improvement in the situation,” Mr. Turcotti told the publication. He said he has no plans to stop playing the song.
Ironically, the mall is located near the Old Brewery Mission, the city’s largest homeless aid organization.
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Internet reacts
As news of the mall’s unorthodox action went viral, social media users expressed their varying viewpoints, while some sided with the mall, others criticized officials for being cruel to homeless people.
“Actually I’m not even mad. Private property. They can do whatever they want. They can play the song 24/7 all over the mall,” one user said, while another said: “This is creative. Making them shower Better with water. What other method can they use?”
A third said: “Unorthodox but if it works then maybe why not”
“There are more Canadian citizens homeless than illegals. So this is a war on Canadian citizens by big business. Let’s see what the liberal NDP will say,” said one user, who appears to be against the move.
A Montreal mall is being criticized for playing ‘Baby Shark’ on the stairs to discourage homeless people from visiting. pic.twitter.com/fmjtcNzeK4
– Dexerto (@Dexerto) 29 November 2024
Social Services Minister Lionel Carment responded to the news, saying it was inappropriate to use the song to scare the homeless.
Social Services Minister Lionel Carment said, “It’s not humane and it’s not the right way (to do it). I’m here to take care of the homeless.”
Despite the criticism, Mr Carment had no specific action plan to deal with the issue. Instead, he said, “the community needs to come together to take care of people.”
Notably, Desjardins Group, the company that maintains the mall, has pledged to commit £946,000 (Rs 10.1 crore) to homelessness initiatives in Montreal in 2023.
