Hollywood used to be a place of glitz and glamor where famous movie stars got their big break.
But this now unsavory part of California has turned into something completely different over the years.
And Gavin Newsom’s California has officially turned the once-beautiful Hollywood Walk of Fame into a cesspool of crime and grime.
Walk of Fame overrun with criminals
Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame is one of the most easily recognized places in the world.
But this once famous and pristine part of California is now overrun with violent criminals and homeless people, leaving tourists feeling vulnerable.
The iconic Los Angeles landmark was once the center of glitz and glamor, but now it consists of nothing but dangerous, dirty sidewalks littered with trash and tents.
Currently, the 1.3-mile stretch on Hollywood Boulevard is undergoing a massive renovation, but it might not be enough to save it from its ill fate.
The city government plans to create wider sidewalks, add more shade trees, implement a protected mobility lane, and do other things to improve pedestrian safety.
According to a statement from Heart of Hollywood, “The goal of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Master Plan is to move this iconic corridor forward into the 21st century, respecting its rich history, while establishing a holistic and long-lasting vision.”
But the plans don’t say a word about the massive rise in violent crimes and homelessness, which have skyrocketed just in the last few years.
Data analyzed by KTLA found that assaults with a deadly weapon, sexual assaults and a range of incidents involving homeless people have increased.
Local Amy Michele said that she was punched in the face while running errands on the famous boulevard.
“I’ve seen people with machetes and knives just slicing the air in front of them hoping to get someone who passes by. I’ve seen people sell drugs out of the back of a truck. I’ve witnessed a hostage situation at one of the apartment complexes on Hollywood Boulevard,” said Michele in a TikTok video.
She added, “I’ve been punched in the back of the head by a homeless person.”
Tourist Sarah Saryan also commented on the famous sidewalk, saying. “It’s definitely not what we expected it to be. It’s not clean and everything like it appears in movies.”
The boulevard is completely trashed
Several clips on social media have shown rows of tents and homeless people sleeping right next to famous stars as well as trash scattered all over the sidewalks.
The city’s decision to reduce police patrols along the boulevard isn’t helping, either.
There were 60 officers assigned to the Hollywood Entertainment District before the pandemic, but now, that number has been cut in half according to Steve Nissen, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking to KTLA, Nissen said, “If you sense something that makes you uncomfortable, you’re not going to come back. Part of feeling safe is not just that the crime statistics are going down, but also that you’re walking streets that look clean and these streets are often not clean. When you walk down the street, you don’t want to be manhandled.”
According to Nissen, the new upgrades are slated to be complete in time for the 2028 Olympics.Â
For now, it’s probably best for tourists to steer clear of this once-famous part of California.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any updates to this ongoing story.
