Police Chief: New Paparazzi Law Not Enforceable
Los Angeles police chief William Bratton says a proposed new city law aimed at protecting celebrities from aggressive paparazzi would have no effect, as it is ambiguous and impossible to enforce. Chief Bratton said in a report, released on Tuesday (April 8), that existing laws on jaywalking, speeding and assault could be used to deter aggressive photographers, whose relentless pursuit of celebrities such as Britney Spears has prompted calls for a crackdown. Los Angeles councilman Dennis Zine, a former police officer, proposed creating a "personal safety zone" to regulate paparazzi, shortly after city police spent $25,000 to escort Spears from her home across town to a psychiatric unit in January. The roadblocks and an escort by at least 12 motorcycles and squad cars were needed to prevent photographers from documenting Spears’ trip to hospital – her second visit in one month – however, news helicopters captured the frenzied scene and beamed images of Spears' convoy throughout the world. Zine said the Los Angeles paparazzi were becoming increasingly aggressive and posed a danger both to Hollywood stars and members of the public. He suggested creating a minimum "personal safety zone" of several feet of clear space between paparazzi and the individuals they are photographing. The proposed law has yet to be debated by the city council. Bratton said that the proposal raised questions about who is classified as a "celebrity" or "paparazzo", whether the LAPD is showing favoritism toward stars, and whether the general public is entitled to the same protection. He added that it would "create an inequitable and ambiguous code that would likely be unenforceable." Zine called Bratton's comments premature and vowed to pursue his proposal. "We need specific sections (of the law) dealing with the paparazzi. What do we do the next time Britney Spears has to go to the hospital? Do we spend another $25,000 and (deploy) those police resources that are stretched so far?" Zine said. It is estimated that the number of paparazzi in Los Angeles has swelled to 300-400, from around 25 photographers 15 years ago.
