For the 11th State of Hollywood speech at Taglyan Cultural Complex on January 26th, Los Angeles City Council member Eric Garcetti described Hollywood as “unstoppable”.
By first mentioning the hard times faced by the city in the early 2000s such as drugs and prostitution, Garcetti set the stage for the ultimate Hollywood reversal, with new transportation and entertainment opportunities reviving the formerly decrepit city. In fact, crime levels are down 47% since 2001. This has led to a “second golden age of Hollywood.”
The speech then entered its final act, preparing the audience for a positive future despite economic hardships on the local, state, and national levels, if everyone was willing to pitch in. He used increased presence of Zipcars in the city and the Hollywood Community Plan as two examples of citizens making a difference. He promised to make his own contributions by fighting to maintain the LAPD’s budget in order to continue reduction of criminal activities.
The entire event was a lovely formal affair and was well-attended. Taglyan Cultural Complex provided the ideal backdrop for such uplifting news. Attendees enjoyed delicious catering and left with a sense of accomplishment and civic pride. Hopefully this event helps to raise additional funding to complete all of the programs that Hollywood wishes to introduce.