The Daily Telegraph out of NSW, Australia, reports that the Rockdale Council has plans to bathe a known trouble spot in pink light to discourage hoons (undesirables) from loitering there. If the test is successful, they will switch to using pink light to fight crime at other locations.

Councillor Gary Green said pink is known to have a calming effect on people and said it our hope that the pink lighting will prove “unsympathetic towards hoons.”

Rockdale is the Council that recruited Barry Manilow to fight crime. Mayor Bill Saravinovski said the Council might even consider giving crooner Barry Manilow the flick in favor of Pink Floyd.

Personally, I think they might improve their chances of success if they keep Barry and supplement the pink lights with piped in Barry Manilow's music. I bet that would discourage any hoons from hanging around.

In case you think I’m kidding, you can see the story at The Daily Telegraph.

Update: From Crooner to Crimefighter

Two years ago in this article, I quipped that maybe piping in Barry Manilow tunes could be useful at deterring little hoodlums from hanging around. I was poking fun at the mayor’s comment of giving Manilow the boot as celebrity spokesperson in favor of Pink Floyd.

Now, it seems that some folks in New Zealand are giving the idea of using Barry Manilow music as a crime prevention strategy serious thought, according to Fox News.

The New Zealand city of Christchurch hopes that putting the American crooner’s smooth and gentle tones into the mix of music to be broadcast through the central mall district can pacify unruly teens who congregate there or at least convince them to go elsewhere.

Who knows. Maybe the folks in Christchurch saw my comment. I didn’t mean to start a movement of turning Mr. Manilow from crooner to crimefighter. If I did, I could only say,

“Forgive me, Barry!”

At least you are in good company. Anchorage, Alaska blasts Beethoven to rid the streets of teenage loiterers.