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A man remains perched 30 feet above Hollywood Boulevard on Saturday morning, following rescue attempts by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The Los Angeles Fire Department attempted to rescue a potential jumper who climbed the Academy Awards scaffolding outside the Hollywood & Highland complex Friday afternoon.
After overnight efforts to bring the man down from the scaffolding, both LAFD and the Los Angeles Police Department made the decision to withdraw early Saturday morning.
“In front of the site of the 2020 Academy Awards (Oscars), LAFD supported LAPD crisis negotiators, who made attempts to bring the man down without force for over 9 hours. It became clear that the individual had no intentions of coming down, and instead of continuing all of the attention, the decision was made to tactically withdraw and allow the man to stay up there. Shortly after 2 a.m., LAFD packed up all of their equipment (ladders and rescue air cushions) and cleared the area. As of the time of this alert, the man remains approximately 30 feet above the Hollywood Blvd sidewalk on scaffolding set up for the upcoming awards event,” LAFD shared in a Saturday morning update.
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LAFD tweeted Friday evening that an adult male was “perched on scaffolding approx 30 feet above the ground. LAFD has deployed aerial ladders, ground ladders, and a rescue air cushion in an attempt to bring the patient down safely.”
The department then added a video, which showed numerous firefighters and police officers looking on at an individual who was not shown on the scaffolding; the video also showed some individuals gesturing and speaking to someone above.
The Los Angeles Police Department, which is also on the scene, could not be reached at press time. However, the LAPD Hollywood Division issued a tweet that read, “The helicopters over Hollywood are news helicopters covering police activity near Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave. Please avoid the area, there is no immediate threat to public safety.”
About half an hour after the initial reports of the situation, LA Metro announced that Metro trains were avoiding the Hollywood/Highland stop on the B line “due to police activity.” “Follow announcements,” a tweet added.
About two hours after first reporting the situation, LAFD posted an update to its website stating: “LAFD continues to have a presence on Hollywood Blvd, now with two rescue air cushions and several ladders set up. Firefighters are working with LAPD as they continue trying to communicate with the adult male patient to bring him down safely.”
“Police activity in the area of Hollywood & Highland has concluded and the area is now open. We want to again thank everyone for their patience as we worked to resolve this,” LAPD tweeted at 2:50 a.m.
The area on Hollywood Blvd. will soon be transformed into a red carpet for the 92nd annual Academy Awards on Feb. 9.
On Saturday afternoon, the LAPD announced that the area was now open after concluding their investigation.
https://t.co/DcEoJBFCU5 pic.twitter.com/oFzqTTcPLl
— LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) February 1, 2020
6801 W #Hollywood Bl; Adult male perched on scaffolding approx 30’ above ground. #LAFD deployed aerial ladders, ground ladders, & a rescue air cushion in an attempt to bring the patient down safely w/ help of @LAPDHQ. Stay away from the area. : @CaptSilverman. Details = @LAFD. pic.twitter.com/9F5UYA7cFD
The helicopters over Hollywood are news helicopters covering police activity near Hollywood Blvd & Highland Ave. Please avoid the area, there is no immediate threat to public safety.
— LAPD Hollywood Division (@LAPDHollywood) February 1, 2020
#BREAKING: Portion of Hollywood Blvd. is closed near Highland after a man climbed award show scaffolding. Police working to talk him down safely. https://t.co/rvxaCB8uFr pic.twitter.com/96pMTtdRbw
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) February 1, 2020
Update 2:50am: Police activity in the area of Hollywood & Highland has concluded and the area is now open. We want to again thank everyone for their patience as we worked to resolve this.
— LAPD Hollywood Division (@LAPDHollywood) February 1, 2020
Feb. 1, 7:40 a.m.: Updated to include new LAFD alert. Feb. 2, 12:20 p.m.: Updated with LAFD’s recent tweet.
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