City to Increase Evening Patrols of Hollywood Boulevard

A program aimed at curbing illegal street activity along Hollywood Boulevard at night will receive additional help this summer.

The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion July 5 to increase patrols of the busy street. Officials are concerned that the boulevard's sidewalks become so congested during the summer months that pedestrians spill out onto the street, creating a safety issue. They say the risk is heightened by the presence of street vendors, who can block off large portions of the sidewalks.

The Summer Sidewalks Program aims to alleviate congestion on the sidewalks and make sure that illegal activity does not block pedestrians, said Julie Wong, a spokesperson for Council President Eric Garcetti, who represents a portion of Hollywood.

Inspectors currently monitor the street during the day, but the motion, which transfers $6,400 to the Bureau of Street Services, will allow the city to pay overtime to the employees, who will team up with the Los Angeles Police Department to monitor the area twice a week at night.

Inspectors will monitor street vendors selling hot dogs, beverages out of coolers and other items. They are conducting their businesses illegally, since such sales are not permitted in the city, Wong said.

Inspectors already cite vendors for illegal activity on the street, but police officers, who will accompany the inspectors during their unannounced night patrols, may enforce laws if needed. That means a cart from a vendor may be confiscated if an owner has previously received a citation, Wong said.

The program will focus solely on the Hollywood area as the summer season brings out an increasing number of pedestrians there.