| Update on Safety Issue at Upper Deronda
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 This issue was brought before the Public Safety & Transportation Committee of the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council because the issue was of such serious widespread concern. When safety matters such as this escalate, they are no longer able to be handled by neighbors forming committees. While discussion and debate are very healthy and promote the democratic process, public safety should be our over-arching concern.
To be clear, the gate at the top of Deronda, according to Fire Chief Kawaii, is the LAFD's only access to the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park. We are surrounded on three sides by this wide expanse of overgrown terrain. We fail the entire area when we fail to do everything possible to keep that roadway (over all others) clear for emergency vehicles. If terrorists or unscrupulous individuals have safe and easy access to Mount Lee while our emergency vehicles do not, what is truly at risk? Mount Lee is the information conduit for emergency response on all levels. What goes on up there could affect the entire communication for more than just Los Angeles as a whole - it's BIG!
The meeting at HUNC was very well attended. While outside protocol, the committee allowed for extended public comment usually reserved only for the presenter of the issue. Much spirited debate took place and those representing HHA were extremely agitated and demonstrative. The committee gave its recommendations (the ones that are being handed up to the full board this Monday) and they include handing this issue to the Department of Transportation and the Council Office to review what sign-off was given to the signs that directed traffic away from Deronda and to come to a conclusion on what should happen right away to make that roadway clear. The HHA reps and their support team did not like this recommendation. One can only conclude that they felt the DOT and CD4 are "outside influences taking over control" of their territory.
Fairness should be addressed here as the GPS systems, Google and other search engines as well as websites and tour maps all direct tourist activity to the top of Deronda - our safety access to the hillsides surrounding our homes. This is not a fair distribution of the tourist burden and no studies were ever done to determine that this street should get this much attention. It is because of the attention that the Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association is forcing on this issue that fairness may, at the end of the day (soon hopefully) be played out in our community.
There is yet another opportunity to have your voice heard on this matter. We feel that, while the recommendation of this committee was fair, we feel it doesn't go far enough to get an immediate resolution on our safety issue. We will continue to ask that three signs be installed to divert traffic away from the emergency access area of Upper Deronda: One sign at Deronda and Ledgewood, one at Heather and Ledgewood and one at Ledgewood and Mulholland.
Your Voice is Important - Please Attend the HUNC Full Board Meeting this Monday:
You need to make time for this meeting - please be there THIS Monday night (March 21st) at 6:30 pm. That's an unusual starting time so, please mark your calendars to be there on time. It is the full board meeting of the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council at the 7th Day Adventist Church on 1711 N. Van Ness. Please enter through Canyon Drive. Plenty of well-lit parking. There are usually refreshments.
If you agree with our position, please stay on point asking for these three signs while we sort out resolutions and relief for other areas that will now experience their share of the tourist traffic. First things first - safety for Upper Deronda - our avenue of emergency relief in any crisis!
Fran Reichenbach, President of Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association
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