Blood on Walk of Fame: Has Recent Violence Impacted Hollywood Tourism?

Thousands of people flock to Hollywood Boulevard each day to visit the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex. But some recent acts of violence have put the tourist hot spot in the headlines. 

On June 18, three men described as transients were arrested in the stabbing death of a woman near the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex. According to reports, 27-year-old Christine Calderon, who worked in the area, took a photo of the men as they were holding a panhandling sign. The men allegedly demanded money before one of them stabbed her to death when she refused. 

The brutal incident, which occurred where thousands of tourists and families visit each day, shocked many. Patch went out to ask some locals who live or work in the area if anything has changed in Hollywood since the incident. Are there more police patrolling? Are tourists scared? 

Other recent violent incidents near the Walk of Fame include:

• On July 13, following a demonstration over the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, 12 people were arrested for allegedly joining with dozens of others in a rolling crime spree on the streets of Hollywood, taking purses, phones, jewelry and other items from pedestrians and stealing items from businesses. Some of the incidents occured near the Hollywood & Highland complex. 
• Los Angeles police are looking for four people suspected in a kidnapping and robbery that occurred on July 23 on the  8000 block Carlton Way, near the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. 
• A group of men allegedly attacked and brutally beat a 22-year-old transgendered woman on the 6200 block of Hollywood Boulevard on May 31.