The Los Angeles City Council on March 9 approved a motion by Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, to allocate $51,320 in discretionary funds for increased security around the Hollywood Sign for the spring break holiday season between March 23 and April 2. Anticipating increased tourism and activity around the sign during this time, Ryu’s approved motion will fund increased patrols by Traffic Enforcement and Police officers.

“With tourism increasing in Los Angeles, we must be proactive in ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods, hillsides, and iconic Hollywood Sign,” Ryu said. “Increased patrols are central to ensuring a happy memory for visitors and a safe spring for our communities.”

The funding will pay for increased LA Police Department and Department of Transportation patrols in the area to ease traffic flow, provide security and monitor fire safety by curbing smoking and ensuring emergency vehicles have full access to the hillsides.

“Councilmember David Ryu’s motion to increase funding for additional traffic support and safety in the neighborhoods surrounding the Hollywood Sign demonstrate Council District 4’s ongoing sensitivity to the residents’ concerns about the impact of tourism in their communities,” said Chris Baumgart, chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust. “Councilmember Ryu is dedicating significant resources to both short-term and long-term solutions for communities surrounding the Sign.”

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of increased DASH Shuttle Service, which runs to the Griffith Observatory and the Greek Theatre from the Metro Red Line Sunset and Vermont station seven days a week. In July and August 2017, this DASH Service saw record ridership of 48,678 and 44,587 passengers, respectively. A one-way fare to the Griffith Observatory is just 35 cents with a TAP card.

City departments are currently studying the feasibility and cost of strategies proposed by consulting firm Dixon Resources Unlimited to improve mobility, safety and park access around Griffith Park and the Hollywood Sign, following a motion by Ryu approved by City Council on Feb. 27. The strategies were included in a report commissioned by Ryu in March 2017 and published by Dixon on Jan. 17.

City Council also approved a Ryu motion on Dec. 6, 2017, to submit a request for the 2018-19 budget to better manage traffic and safety around the Hollywood Sign in the future.

The budget request motion instructs the LADOT, LAPD and RAP to develop and submit a budget request for consideration as part of the 2018-19 Mayor’s Proposed Budget, identifying needed resources to adequately manage traffic and public safety issues around the Hollywood Sign and in adjacent neighborhoods year round.