Community Corner
Neighborhood Profile: Brentwood Circle
In 1995 Brentwood Circle put up gates and withdrew from public use. How did it turn out?
Brentwood Circle is an exclusive gated community in the northern part of town along Sunset Boulevard. Bordered by the Sepulveda pass on one side and Brentwood Village on the other; this is a place where large upscale homes are nestled in the hillside amid immaculate landscaping. The J. Paul Getty Museum sits on the hilltop overlooking this quiet community.
In the early 1990’s things were not so serene. The Getty Museum Trust decided to expand and began building additions on its property. The expansion created the need for a new emergency access road. Unfortunately for residents of the Brentwood Circle Neighborhood, as it was called at the time, the new service road cut right through this quiet community. The new service road caused traffic and security problems for the residents who in turn complained to the Getty Trust, to the city council and anyone else who would listen.
The Brentwood Home Owners Association was able to strike a deal. The Getty Center would help pay for the construction of a private gate in 1995 to better control the traffic flow through Brentwood Circle.
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Today, Brentwood Circle has three gates. Two of the gates are exit only and allow residents easier access to Sunset Boulevard. The main gate is at the intersection of Woodburn and Sunset and is manned 24 hours a day by a security guard.
“I love my job here,” said Vernon Turner, a guard with Bel-Air Security. “Celebrities live here and I know what I do is important. It’s kind of inspirational.”
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When asked about any incidents, crime or trouble at the gate, he could not recall a single incident.
“The crime rate is extremely low, much lower than the surrounding area,” said LAPD lead officer Philip Enbody. “I think there was a theft several years ago, but that’s it.”
Mary Misono, manager for councilman Bill Rosendahl’s office, West Los Angeles Dist. 11, said that instalation of the gate has been a success.
“The Brentwood Circle community has withdrawn from public use and saves us money on city services," said Misono.
