Facing Hollywood Ending?

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Costumed Michael Jacksons, Marilyn Monroes and Obi-wan Kenobis have long been fixtures along L.A.’s famous Walk of Fame near Grumman’s Chinese Theatre.

While many consider the ersatz characters colorful additions to Hollywood, there also have been complaints over the years of schlocky dress, unruly behavior and aggressive panhandling toward unsuspecting tourists.

Recently the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said that it wants to bring some order and regulation to the scene. It fears, among other things, that picture-taking visitors may see the “in your face” characters as paid Hollywood representatives, which they decidedly are not.

“For years now there have been issues,” said chamber President Leron Gubler. “The fact is that as Hollywood Boulevard comes back, it attracts more and more people trying to take advantage of the crowd. The business community has been voicing concern for a long time, but it’s continued to worsen as the situation grows.”

Last week, the chamber formed a task force on the issue representing the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Entertainment Business Improvement District, Grumman’s Chinese Theatre and other businesses. About 20 people held what Gubler described as a “formative” meeting.

Among possible courses of action, he said, is lobbying to require the costumed characters to get city permits. The group also may push for regulation of street CD sales and sightseeing tours.

“There’s no easy answer because they have First Amendment rights,” Gubler said. “It’s legal for them to stand there and have their pictures taken. But if they demand a tip, that’s a problem. A lot of them wear masks and you don’t know who’s behind the mask; they could have criminal records.”

Mitch O’Farrell, senior special projects adviser for Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti, whose district includes part of Hollywood, downplayed the new task force.

“We (already) have a task force set up to address a variety of nuisance and supposed criminal activity on the boulevard,” he said, noting the city has met before with concerned members of the Hollywood business community to discuss the issue.

Down on Hollywood Boulevard it seemed like business as usual last week as characters including likenesses of Aubrey Hepburn, the Hulk and two Michael Jacksons vied for the attention of passers-by.

“I think we contribute to Hollywood,” said Bernard Golden, 43, who dresses as SpongeBob SquarePants and figures he earns $150 to $200 a day in tips from having his picture taken by tourists. “We create excitement and bring people here.”

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