Residents Near Hollywood Sign Say Tourists Have Gone Too Far

HOLLYWOOD HILLS (CBS) — Thousands of people make the trek up Beechwood Canyon to see the world-famous Hollywood sign but homeowners and residents say they've had enough with all the extra traffic and congestions on their streets.

City Councilman Tom Labonge held a community meeting Tuesday night to hear their concerns and to try and come up with a solution.

Residents say some tourists have gone too far, leaving behind cigarette butts and garbage in choice viewing spots.

"We attract people 365 days a year, 24 hours a day into an area with much less resources than the ones mentioned and we have nothing. We are totally defenseless," Hollywoodland resident Sarajane Schwartz said at the meeting.

The recent increase in traffic was blamed, in part, on Web sites directing tourists to viewing areas, and on GPS devices which include the Hollywood sign in their points of interest.

Sign supporters are fighting to keep the landmark available to all tourists who come to see it each day.

"Save the Hollywood sign again! Do not restrict access to a sign seen all over the world," supporter Richard Eastman shouted at the meeting.

Patrick Hickey owns "Rock N' Hollywood Tours" and suggested that the city charge tour operators a fee to take tourists up to the sign.

A real solution, according to Labonge, may take some time, but he is promising to find an equitable solution for both residents and visitors.