City officials warn the public for a disturbing increase in the starch and thieves targeting the victims in West Hollywood.
Although many locals say they are aware of the height of thefts, the city is still a famous destination for bars and night clubs, leaving many visitors outside the city vulnerable. The thieves are also likely to target victims who suffer from drunken or dispensed.
Christopher Powers said his cell phone was stolen during parties with friends in Weho.
“I did, at the time, tend to leave my phone on the bar in front of me,” Powers told KTLA from Jin Kang. “From anywhere, I disappeared. I was like,” Where is my phone? “
“It has become really ridiculous to the extent, for visitors from all over the world, West Hollywood is known as the capital of the cell phone theft in the world,” said Adam Eramyan, head of the West Hollywood Public Safety Committee.
According to the Los Angeles Province Department, in 2024, there were nearly 400 cases of theft in the area.
A row of restaurants and bars in West Hollywood, California on March 25, 2025. (KTLA) 
The famous bar/monastery restaurant in West Hollywood. (Valerie Macon) (AFP) (Valerie McCacon Photography via Getty Images) 
Los Angeles, California – June 02: Participants in 2024 West Hollywood Pride Parade Los Angeles, California. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
On June 9, 2019, the image of the file participating in the annual show shows 49 in Los Angeles Praid, West Hollywood. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) 
Party pioneers show their fashion at West Hollywood Halloween Carlaval, which he described as the largest Halloween party in the world, October 31, 2018. (Robyn Beck /AFP /Getty Images) 
People are waiting at an open balcony table at Valentine’s Day restaurant on Sunday, February 14, 2021, in West Hollywood, California (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) 
Los Angeles, California – June 02: Participants in 2024 West Hollywood Pride Parade Los Angeles, California. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
Los Angeles, California – November 17: The Monastery in West Hollywood at night on November 17, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (FG/Bauer-Griffin/GC photos)
With the summer season and pride, just around the corner, these numbers are expected to rise.
Cody Mitchell, a former nightclub employee, said he remembers that customers are targeting and asking for help when their luggage was taken during a night abroad.
Mitchell said: “Especially with phones and backpacks, he visits people from outside the state or outside the country and they will say,” Oh my God, my passport was there! “
However, the authorities said that hunting thieves is still harsh when many people are mobilized in places close to bars and night clubs and during the big events in the open air.
LASD said they have carried out the secret sting operations in the past, but with the ongoing thefts, they are now dependent on the security of the place and public awareness to help prevent crimes.
“We are grateful because the city is able to finance us and get the so -called entertainment police team,” explained Lasd SGT. Jason Doron. “It is a team of deputies and a surgeon working in our rainbow area and is the field in which all clubs and strong bars are located. This team deals with all bars, clubs and education is the biggest thing they do there. They are trying to educate the public, society, lawyers, managers and security personnel in the problem.”
City officials said they might consider displaying the public LED boards to warn thieves and Nasalin sponsors.
For those planning to enjoy spending a night at Weho, the authorities said it is better to be alert from your surroundings and always keep your phone in your front pocket or inside a bag or a compact bag.