‘Horrendous Tragedy’ : Rodeo Drive Reflects on Human Costs

Rodeo Drive merchants tried to resume their multimillion-dollar businesses Tuesday, but they spoke of lost life rather than lost profits after a hostage siege that left three people dead.

“Life is more important than money,” said David Orgell.

His fine china and silver shop, a fixture on fashionable Rodeo for nearly 30 years, is four doors from the Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry store where five employees were held hostage Monday.

Employee Safety

“Nobody thought in terms of cost yesterday,” Orgell said. “Our minds were on getting our employees out of here safely.

“We were praying most of the day, praying that nothing terrible would happen like what did happen,” he said. “It’s a terrible way for it to end.”

At the famed Giorgio boutique across the street and down the block from Van Cleef & Arpels, the music was turned off Tuesday in sympathy for the victims.

“We are all in a state of shock,” said Katy Sweet, Giorgio’s spokeswoman. “These were people we knew. These were our neighbors. It’s a horrendous tragedy.”

Sweet said she, too, had expected a happy ending.

Tells of Shock

“In most of these situations that you read about, the police are able to talk the individual out and everyone comes out with their hands up,” she said. “We were absolutely shocked at what happened.”

Merchants acknowledged that the fear of robbery and security concerns are a fact of life on a street known for its extravagant wares.

“Something like this happens anywhere that you have precious articles, and jewels are as precious as anyone can find,” Sweet said. “There is a concentration of fine jewelers on Rodeo, and it’s a target.”

Sergio Baril, manager of Fred Joaillier, which also deals in magnificent gems, said his store has had an elaborate security system for six years. Before that, the jeweler had been hit by a spate of robberies.

Security Measures

“We have more security than Van Cleef had,” Baril said. “We have an electronic door, and we look at everyone before they come in. We have several security guards both inside and outside the store.”

He said every employee carries a beeper that can set off an alarm in case of trouble, and the store purposely has an all-glass front.

“We are like a fish tank. You can see everything going on inside the store at many angles,” Baril said.

Van Cleef & Arpels has only a few tiny display windows facing the street and the store interior is shielded from view. Thus, police were unable to see what was happening during the hostage standoff.

Don’t Be a Hero

“The policy of nearly every store on the street is, if somebody like that comes in, don’t be a hero,” Orgell said. “The only thing you can ever do is let them take what they want and get out of your building.”

He said merchants also count on the Beverly Hills Police Department, “which is fantastic.”

Police arrived within two minutes after an alarm was triggered Monday, trapping the intruder in the store.

“Maybe it was a case where it was too safe,” said Corinne Entratter, a publicist who knew victim Hugh Skinner, the manager at Van Cleef & Arpels.