Security That’s Tight Enough for the A-List Crowd

“We have better security tonight than they had at the Oscars,” said Aaron Cohen, before giving commands in Hebrew into his radio fastened on the lapel of his black suit. His eyes darted among the guests, and he barked another command into his lapel as a car alarm went off nearby.

“This is Israeli-style security,” said 26-year-old Cohen, who was in charge of the 30 armed guards stationed at the Century Club on Wednesday night. The evening’s event: a party to celebrate Israel’s 54th year of independence.

When a crowd in skintight club-wear and black leather jackets arrived at the club, Cohen’s guards searched their cars and checked IDs. In front of the club, two red carpets led up to metal detectors, where bags were searched and IDs checked again.

A group of women in sparkly dresses lined up behind the black velvet rope at the club’s entrance. “Keep to the right,” a security guard yelled, “we need to have this space cleared.” Nobody objected as purses were searched again, and the women joined the 1,000 guests inside.

Cohen founded Israeli Military Specialists, a Beverly Hills-based security firm, after returning from a stint in the Israeli army a couple of years ago and realized there was a high demand for security services in Hollywood.

“We’re very expensive,” he said. “Not everyone can afford us.” Of course he didn’t want to name too many names (only Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan) but said his client list is strictly A-list. “Big celebrities and corporate clients.”

Along with five DJs and two Israeli bands booked for the event, Israeli party promoter Eyal Dahan hired Cohen and his company of former Israeli military personnel, who were also positioned on rooftops.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s bomb squad swept the place for explosives, and extra patrol officers were dispatched to the area for the event.

But the high security didn’t dampen spirits inside the club, where hundreds of revelers in tight dresses and tighter jeans packed the dance floor and sang along to “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem,” a song about peace. The event was, among other things, a fund-raiser, with half the proceeds from every $20 ticket going to Israeli ambulance companies to help buy more vehicles, Dahan said.

Underneath the spotlights and sponsor banners, the crowd waved several large Israeli flags over their heads, and the DJs seamlessly segued into “It’s Raining Men.”

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‘Leave It Be’

Former gossip columnist George Christy confirmed yesterday that he had quietly reached a settlement six weeks ago with the Screen Actors Guild, which was investigating allegations that he had received Guild benefits for films in which he did not actually appear. “We just decided to leave it be, as they say,” Christy said. “I’m delighted.”

Former Hollywood Reporter staffer Dave Robb, who covered the Christy story last year, reports the settlement in the current L.A. Weekly. SAG didn’t comment on the settlement but released a statement saying: “The SAG-Producer Pension & Health Plans have completed their audit of contributions made by various producers relating to work performed by, and payments made to, George Christy, and have entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Christy. The plans are satisfied that as a result of this settlement agreement, Mr. Christy will receive health and pension benefits to which he is entitled under the applicable collective bargaining agreements, and pension and health plan documents.”

There was no public acknowledgment of the allegations that led to Christy’s five-month suspension from the Hollywood Reporter and his subsequent resignation. Christy has always contended that he appeared in all the films for which he received credit but that his roles were sometimes edited out.

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City of Angles runs Tuesday through Thursday. E-mail: angles@latimes.com