'Tourist-Free Zone' Signs Pop Up Near Hollywood Sign

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Residents in the hillside neighborhoods below the Hollywood sign say the frustration they feel over growing crowds of tourists is very real.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports signs have gone up in the upscale areas of Beachwood Canyon and Hollywoodland, some of which have declared the area a "tourist-free zone."

Residents say they are bothered by the traffic, but are most concerned about safety issues because the curving, narrow roads were not designed for so many cars and pedestrians.

"Everyone in the neighborhood has pretty much had it," said one homeowner.

A recently-circulated flier in the neighborhood called for the city to put up armed checkpoints to keep out the swarms of tourists who descend on the landmark, Mertz reported.

City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents the area, said while he understands why residents are upset, he finds the changing tone troublesome.

"I was offended by the harsh words that they said about other people coming from other places," LaBonge said.

Just a few years ago there, were only a few operators offering Hollywood sign viewing tours, according to the Los Angeles Times. There are now more than 40 tour companies running buses and vans in and out of the canyon, the Times reported.

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