Local News in Brief : Anti-Vandalism Measures

Saying that other measures had failed to stop vandalism at the Hollywood Bowl overlook on Mulholland Drive, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board has decided to erect a 6-foot fence around the scenic overlook atop the Hollywood Hills.

Some area residents have complained that problems began in 1984 after the City of Los Angeles transformed three of Mulholland Drive’s turnouts into mini-parks. The vast views attract thousands of visitors during the day, but at night gang members and others sometimes use them for loud parties and leave graffiti. Parking tickets and towing failed to help.

Joe Edmiston, the conservancy’s executive director, said the $40,000 wrought-iron fence will be tried at the one site to keep people out of the area after dark. The problems are “not going to go away, but it’s certainly going to make it better,� he said.