Cheesy music deployed

Sydney

A Sydney suburb has begun blasting Barry Manilow hits to ward off hooligans. Young drag racers, known as hoons, have been loitering in a central parking lot, revving their cars and intimidating patrons of a nearby restaurant. City councilors in Rockdale hope that the sappy sounds of Manilow’s ’70s ballads will solve the problem. “Daggy music is one way to make the hoons leave,” said Councilor Bill Saravinovski. “They can’t stand it.” Manilow’s hits include “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” and “I Write the Songs.”