TMZ Photogs Busted in Britney Sweep

Posted Feb 20th 2008 11:27AM by TMZ Staff

The cops have cracked down bigtime on paparazzi -- no, not the ones who blow red lights. Not the ones who run cars off the road. Not the ones who threaten to kill people who get in their way. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is going after ... sidewalk violators!!!


By our count, six camerapeople were busted last night; two outside the salon where Brit was getting her hair done and four outside Villa nightclub where Lindsay was partying. Two TMZ photogs were among those busted.

One deputy is heard warning paps, "You're slowing down, you're stopping on my sidewalk." When asked what law the photogs were violating, a deputy cited West Hollywood Municipal Code, Section 3.04.030, the Traffic Safety Fund. That section funnels traffic violation money to bankroll traffic lights and other stuff.

One TMZ photog says he had just stepped off the sidewalk when he was cuffed and thrown into the back of a squad car for an hour. Another TMZ photog was hauled off to jail for 6 hours.

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Filed under: Britney Spears

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(Page 3 of 17)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. I am not a big fan of police action against photogs on a sidewalk. This whole celebs vis-a-vis photogs is one big conundrum that is not going to be properly resolved with the police busting the photo snappers.

Posted at 11:41AM on Feb 20th 2008 by wasted days and wasted nights

32. About time. There's a difference in talking and photographing a willing participant (celebrity) and stalking them or annoying them. Maybe TMZ and other new photogs should give them some space for a while. Then when you DO approach them, act like you have some decency and dont annoy them or follow them around, asking stupid questions or trying to get a crotch shot.

Posted at 11:41AM on Feb 20th 2008 by barney fife

33. Puh-leeze. Your band of illegal alien freelancers are so not news.

Maybe you should dig up some dirt on Miss Harvey Levin's obviouly British dentist. At least that would be a publc sevice.

Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 20th 2008 by TMZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

34. You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ You were warned and you didnt listen. I also predicted you would cry about it like a little baby when it happened Waaaah TNZ

Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 20th 2008 by sidmabb

35. Anything the police can do to keep your photographers from annoying people and causing dangerous traffic situations is ok by me.

Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Ohboy

36. I'm torn between 2 emotions. I love coming to this site and I also feel like the paparazzi go way over the line. I know I can't have one without the other though. What to do?

Posted at 11:43AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Conflicted

37. Gwad, she had to get her hair did. sheesh! lol. It seems like she is feeling better. Good for her!

Posted at 11:43AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Nic

38. I hate the cops. This is a blatant abuse of authority. People can't even stand on the sidewalk now! So much for the First Amendment.

Posted at 11:44AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Jayne

39. Wow! You people are unreal. You are all advocating a complete and total undermining of our personal freedoms. Yeah, let's let the police arrest people for standing somewhere. What are you people thinking? Go live in a communist country why don't you?

Posted at 11:44AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Phoenix

40. I’ll second that WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!

Reasons for arrest for the mentally challenged photogs and their employers:
Trespassing on private property
Creating a public nuisance
Limiting a person's access (unlawful restraint)
Obstructing a sidewalk
Blocking a roadway
Blocking a driveway
Harassment
Loitering
Stalking
Disobeying the direct order of a police officer

It’s been long overdue and may more arrests follow these.

Posted at 11:45AM on Feb 20th 2008 by idaho potato

41. You can get your pictures without attacking the stars. There is no place that will give yu sympathy. LA has been quietly working on stepping up enforcement. Don't think they aren't aware of the circus that paps create in the lives of not only the stars, but everybody. Now they have to obey the law. Next time they should bring the paddy wagon.

Posted at 11:45AM on Feb 20th 2008 by tired of this

42. No sympathy here. The paps are out of control and it's totally out of hand. It's about time the police step in. Good Grief! Leave Britney alone. She's sick and could use some sort of privacy.

Posted at 11:46AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Mother

43. TMZ is papparazzi no matter how you cut it.

Posted at 11:46AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Else

44. I LOVE THIS!!!! It's about time the police started doing their jobs!!!!! The paps are constantly loitering, trespassing on private property, traffic voilations, etc, etc, etc,...... Taking pictures through a curtained window could be seen as a "peeping Tom" violation.....it's private property, the windows are covered.....DUH!!! I only HOPE the LAPD will continue these sweeps!!! AND I hope whoever called the police will continue!! The paps have run roughshot on the LA public for too long!!! I know the paps think they have all sorts of "freedom" rights.....but so does the public!! When the paps descend byt the hundreds into a Startbucks to take pictures of Britney taking a pee, that's ridiculous!! They knocked over tables, chairs and knocked paying customers out of the way. The Manager of Starbucks should have called the police the second they walked in! He had other customers to protect along with his business!! GOOD JOB LAPD--KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

Posted at 11:47AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Mag

45. The Los Angeles County should just ban Britney from there and then the problem is solved. I mean you would stil have some pap bs but at least the Britney Circus would be gone. Good on the cops for doing an excellent job. It's time to take back LA. You wouldn't see this crap in NYC I guarantee you that!

Posted at 11:47AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Here 4 Beer

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