Can classical music deter panhandlers? Walgreens blares Bach outside Chicago stores

Customers come and go from the Walgreens at 111 S. Halsted St. as classical music blares from loudspeakers outside the store Wednesday. (Sun-Times staff)

Got a problem with people lingering at your property? Cue the orchestra.

Walgreens has decided that playing classical music outside certain Chicago stores will keep away loiterers and panhandlers. Whether a blast of Bach works is anybody’s guess, but the pharmacy chain along with other major retailers has previously employed symphonic security in the western U.S.