Los Angeles boosts police presence in Hollywood due to crime surge

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (TND) — The Los Angeles City Council has reportedly approved a plan to fund more police patrols in Hollywood following a spike in crime.

Additional officer shifts will be added to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division after the council authorized a $216,000 boon, according to the City News Service.

The money will reportedly come from the office of Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who introduced the motion for more funding. O’Farrell is Hollywood's representative on the council.

In Hollywood, there has been a 75% increase in homicides so far this year compared to last year, O'Farrell's office said. In the same time period, there has been a 35.6% increase in shots fired and a jump in both robbery and theft, 19.4% and 24.7%, respectively.

Today's unanimous approval of enhanced safety measures in Hollywood will make a world of difference for residents, workers and visitors impacted by crime," O'Farrell said in a statement, according to the City News Service. "We're investing in a holistic approach to public safety — one that brings unarmed service providers, residents, businesses and LAPD to the table so that we can create safer neighborhoods and communities."

According to O'Farrell's office, the demand for public safety is currently exceeding Hollywood's available resources to address it. Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Blake Chow reportedly said in a statement that people "need to feel safe when they’re in Hollywood."

We’re thankful to Council Member O’Farrell for these additional resources and look forward to quickly putting them to use to prevent, deter and address crime," Chow said according to City News Service.

O'Farrell added in his statement that if anyone was coming to Hollywood to commit a crime, they are not welcome in the city.