Studio City Joins Valley Village and Other Neighborhood Councils in Purchase of LAPD Digital Sign

The Studio City Neighborhood Council approved up to $1,000 Wednesday night for the purchase of a mobile digital street sign for the Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Station.

The street sign could not only warn drivers that they are going too fast, but they could also put warning signs about car break-ins around Fryman Canyon or even post times and dates of the Studio City Neighborhood Council meetings.

The request came from Jeff Walker of the Valley Village Neighborhood Council, who said the sign will help the whole area and cost a total of $18,150.

The Valley Village Neighborhood Council approved an amount not to exceed $7,500, while Toluca Lake’s Neighborhood Council approved $5,000 and the Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council approved $5,000.

The Studio City Budget Committee agreed to only approve $1,000 to present to the full board.

“We did ask for $5,000, the same as the other councils,” said Dorothy Apple, of the Valley Village Neighborhood Council after the vote. “But we are happy to have Studio City included.”

Valley Village’s Walker—who is not related to SCNC president John Walker—added, “We are happy for any community organization to be involved in the purchase of this sign because it will help the entire district.”

Studio City’s LAPD Senior Lead Office Mike Lewis gave a thumbs-up for the purchase, saying that the police needed a sign like that, because such signs are often deterrents and the police division doesn’t have one to use. He said it was like adding a police officer to the streets.

“It will be for areas where there are rampant speeding problems, flashing a sign that says ‘You are speeding, slow down’ and other messages,” Walker said. “It could be used a lot in Studio City.”

The LAPD will put the sign where they think they will need it the most.

Studio City board member Rita Villa pointed out that the board is against digital signs as a rule, and ones that are attached to a trailer, but she felt this was an important purchase.

SCNC’s Richard Neiderberg said: “It is an ugly sign” and pointed out that may make it more effective.

There were thoughts that a sign like that could help divert traffic for times like when the Coldwater Canyon shutdown is planned for roadwork, in addition to the Department of Transportation signs.

Studio City resident Barry Johnson, during public comments, pointed out, “This is another case where one department is funding the equipment for another department, but it does seem like it is important.”

The SCNC Budget Committee also brought a proposal Wednesday to spend $5,000 for the Outreach Committee for projects for promotional giveaway items, mailings, flyers and printing costs for the SCNC.

Both motions received unanimous approval.

Check out Patch for more decisions made at the Neighborhood Council.