While many West Hollywood residents spent last night worrying about the wave of armed robberies plaguing the city, a pair of Block by Block security ambassadors were caught putting the moves on two women instead of patrolling for crime.
Video shared with WEHOville shows two male ambassadors in uniform canoodling openly with two scantily clad ladies just after midnight Saturday outside Or Bar on the corner of La Jolla and Santa Monica Boulevard.
@wehovillenews #weho #blockbyblock #securityambassadors #makingout #sex #crime ♬ original sound – WEHOville
@wehovillenews #weho #blockbyblock #securityambassadors #makingout #sex #crime ♬ original sound – WEHOville
@wehovillenews #weho #blockbyblock #securityambassadors #makingout #sex #crime ♬ original sound – WEHOville
“This situation is particularly alarming considering the recent violent attacks in West Hollywood,” wrote the person who submitted the video, who was granted anonymity. “Such behavior demonstrates a blatant dereliction of duty, as their attention should be focused and alert to their surroundings, rather than being preoccupied with inappropriate activities. I believe it is crucial to address this matter promptly to ensure the safety and professionalism of our ambassadors and maintain a secure environment for everyone in the community.”
While questions about the Block by Block program’s usefulness continue to swirl, West Hollywood’s mayor and mayor pro tem just this week re-affirmed their support for the unarmed, blue-shirted guards, who lack the ability to detain criminals and whose primary function is shuffling off troublesome homeless people.
“In 2022, we expanded Block by Block by 30 personnel for a total of 85 security ambassadors,” Mayor Sepi Shyne told the Beverly Press. “We also added foot patrols in residential neighborhoods to compliment new Block by Block kiosks in commercial districts and parks. In 2023, we’re generally seeing that crime is down in West Hollywood from 2022 levels. Block by Block and [the sheriff’s department] working in collaboration is having a positive impact on safety and neighborhood livability in West Hollywood.”
Last year, West Hollywood City Council slashed the budget of the Sheriff’s Department to give the security ambassadors greater responsibility over WeHo’s public safety. The sheriff’s budget was restored several months ago after immense public backlash.
The security ambassador program has been criticized as a waste of taxpayer dollars. The city of Santa Monica recently decided to end their contract with Block by Block.
“Block by Block was in a contract in Santa Monica with [a] Third Street Promenade bid, which isn’t overseen by the council,” Mayor Pro Tem John Erickson told the Press. “So, Block by Block only was dealing with a specific area versus here in West Hollywood where they’re citywide, and they are trusted ambassadors to the community.”
[…] in West Hollywood. Reports and photos emerged of Block by Block security ambassadors making inappropriate advances toward two women during their […]
Wow, I guess the Block By Block sidewalk ambassadors were shocked that straight women were in West Hollywood. They decided to celebrate by kissing any available woman on the sidewalks.Unfortunately for them,cameras are all over the place.Is there a morals clause in the contracts these guys sign when they get hired by Block By Block?
All the block by block scam accomplished was putting taxpayer money into the pocket of a convicted FELON and bringing 85 hood rats from the ghetto into our once nice town.
It is counterintuitive and counterproductive to have an internal review or investigation by the West Hollywood Public Safety Ambassador Program when it pertains to the misconduct of city employees! This has conflicts of interests written all over it which is imbedded in this program and that is unacceptable! West Hollywood City Hall must take steps to ensure transparency and not allow a city public safety service to internally police its own misconduct! That in itself does not ensure disciplinary action will ever be taken against ambassadors or their individual identities ever disclosed to the public! Rather it will be handled… Read more »
Excellent summation but this behavior exists along with irregular, irresponsible in house protocol and practices that is not limited to the Public Safety Commission.
I have to laugh! Danny Rivas is spinning this by saying that they might’ve been on break? That he’s turning it over to Block by Block to investigate internally? Doesn’t that mean he’s trying to shut the whole thing up? I’m sure that Sepi Shyne and John Erickson, if they say anything, will try to spin it also. They have to protect their “interests” ya know!
The BBB BS video should go viral, calling West Hollywood one of the most dangerous cities in America. It won’t help tourism and the hotel taxes to fund Shyne, Erickson, and Byer’s Woke slop ruining WEHO.!
Is making out allowed in city hall? Most companies instantly dismiss for inappropriate behavior.
So Block by Block ambassadors are being paid to molest prostitutes on the street.
Sepi Shyne should be tarred and feathered for her assault on own city values and safety.
If this was from Pride, some of the commenters here would be saying “Look at them, they’re expressing themselves as sex-positive! Wow!” How, in this context, are these ladies “prostitutes”?
OK weirdo. Clearly in the video no one is being molested. Atop trying to make things worse than they are or appear. I mean wow
They are about as useful as having referees in pro wrestling. As someone who lives on Larrabee they do nothing but ride around on their bicycles or check their phones at their stations.
I’m trying to put this into context, rather than jumping to conclusions. Maybe they were on break, there’s no law against kissing someone. If they weren’t on break, and this is the worst thing they do, who cares? Maybe they’re observant and proactive the rest of the time. It’s extremely difficult to find good security guards, the job sucks more than most jobs, and this behavior is the least offensive that I’ve seen from a guard. Let’s focus on the effectiveness of the program as a whole, rather than trying to find a scandal.
Better policing by folks trained for such a career is the optimum remedy. Block by Block personally will never be adequate.
I agree with the second sentence. Why anyone would think that people, probably most of whom are from outside the community and paid low wages, would engage with people here and keep us safe?
How about making this task one of the requirements for future sheriff or police status. The BbyB ambassadors appear to be folks of extremely low ambition who are in need a job and one that they perceive gives them some aspect of power.
DUH! #Vetting101 #YouAreFired
A friend asked me if this ambassador gives this woman herpes or gonorrhea from kissing her will our city have to pay out to this woman for the damages now from this randy ambassador?
No, under the legal theory of assumption of risk. The security was not employed by the City to provide romantic services, so if he were operating outside the realm of his employment, the City has not legal obligations. But is a rather obnoxious question.