Hollywood sign sparks safety concerns for Los Angeles residents

LOS ANGELES (CBS, KYMA) - It's one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, but neighbors say what's happening in the shadow of the Hollywood sign is creating a chaotic and dangerous situation being made worse by social media.

Imagine living underneath one of the most famous landmarks in the world, and Rhoda Coleman says the view here comes with anxiety every day.

"I'm in constant fear of a fire," Coleman expressed.

Coleman and her neighbors live in a part of the Hollywood Hills, and they say it is being overrun with tourists crowding their yards, choking their streets.

The sign was never meant to be a tourist attraction. The 45-feet tall letters went up in 1923 to advertise a real estate development.

The 'Land' was sold, and the last four letters on the famous sign came down in 1949. Today, it towers over visitors posing with it for social media clout.

But neighbors fear a repeat of the Palisades Fire when people abandoned their cars, blocking fire trucks.

Visitors often light up despite warning signs posted every few feet.

CBS News witnessed the danger themselves during a visit in April as a fire broke out in the canyon.

The congestion slowed down this fire truck responding to the call.

It's the kind of chaos neighbors say is getting worse every year as social media influencers direct followers to the best views of the sign.

Public health concerns are growing too as the crowds draw food vendors, who are often unlicensed, who leave behind garbage or worse.

The city has put up new signs restricting parking, but according to images obtained by CBS News, they haven't helped much.

"I think that we need to step up enforcement and I'm gonna make sure that that happens," said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

Frustrated neighbors say they'll believe it when they see it.

When asked what she says to people who say it's just a bunch of elitists who don't want people in their neighborhood, Daisy, one of the neighbors, said, "We are happy to share but there needs to be some sort of accountability from our government. We can't have a free for all traffic situation. It just doesn't make any sense."

One thing that isn't disputed: The Hollywood sign was here first, but its famous nine letters are now spelling trouble with no end in sight.