West Hollywood Security Ambassador Caught on Video Punching Homeless Person

Incident raises concerns about the city's ambassador program and its handling of homeless individuals.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 1:47am

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A video has surfaced showing a West Hollywood security ambassador physically attacking a homeless person in the city's park. The incident has sparked outrage among residents and renewed criticism of the ambassador program, which some feel is not properly equipped to handle interactions with the unhoused population.

Why it matters

The video highlights ongoing tensions between the city's efforts to maintain public order and safety, and concerns about how the ambassador program is addressing homelessness and potential use of force against vulnerable individuals. It raises questions about the training, oversight, and accountability of the security ambassadors.

The details

The video shows a West Hollywood security ambassador approaching a homeless person in the park and immediately beginning to punch the individual. The ambassador continued to strike the person before being pulled away by another ambassador. Residents expressed shock at the guard's willingness to engage physically with a homeless person in this manner.

  • The incident occurred on February 19, 2026.

The players

West Hollywood Security Ambassador

A member of the city's ambassador program, which is contracted to Allied Universal to provide security and outreach services in public spaces.

Ethan Reynolds

A West Hollywood resident who has previously criticized the ambassador program for failing to intervene in a brawl.

Allied Universal

The company contracted by the City of West Hollywood to run the security ambassador program.

City of West Hollywood

The local government that oversees the security ambassador program and is reviewing the incident.

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What they’re saying

“It was, first of all, shocking and a little scary that a security ambassador is willing to engage with a homeless or unhoused person in that way.”

— Ethan Reynolds, West Hollywood Resident (cbsnews.com)

“The City and its contracted partner for the Security Ambassadors program, Allied Universal, are deeply concerned by what is depicted in the video. We take this matter very seriously. The City's Community Safety Department has initiated a thorough review and is actively gathering all relevant information to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

— City of West Hollywood (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The City of West Hollywood and Allied Universal have stated they are conducting a thorough review of the incident and the security ambassador's actions. The outcome of this review and any potential disciplinary or policy changes will be closely watched by the community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing public safety, homelessness, and the appropriate role and training of security personnel tasked with community engagement. It underscores the need for robust oversight, de-escalation training, and clear policies governing interactions between security ambassadors and vulnerable populations.