TMZ Photogs Busted in Britney Sweep

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.



Tags: britney spears, BritneySpears

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46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. GOOD! Its about time you learn some manners!!!

Posted at 12:50PM on Feb 20th 2008 by am

50. 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

51. ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:30PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Fran

52. I'm not sure if we are supposed to feel sorry for the pap or not. I do have the guilty pleasure of checking TMZ every day. But sometimes the paps do go over the top. So not much sympathy from this end. Keep taking pictures, but show a little respect also.

Posted at 11:50AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Holly G

53. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY DID SOMETHING ABOUT YOU PEOPLE....I LOVE GOSSIP AS MUCH AS
ANYONE, BUT YOU (TMZ) AND OTHERS LIKE YOU...DONT PROVIDE GOSSIP...THERE'S NOT ONE WORD ABOUT THESE CELEBRITIES..JUST PICTURES OF THEM LOOKING SCARED, OR MAD, OR OFF GUARD..
THAT IS NOT GOSSIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHEN BRITNEY KILLS HERSELF.......WILL YOU BE AT THE FUNERAL WITH YOUR CAMERAS? TRYING FOR ONE LAST
SHOT ..IN HER CASKET?
SHAME ON TMZ...YOU'VE SET THE BAR AT AN ALL TIME LOW!!!!!

Posted at 12:03PM on Feb 20th 2008 by lizouttavegas

54. 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

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

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

56. This is explains the slow TMZ blogging this morning.......Britney is more tame so you have nothing to report???????

Posted at 6:41PM on Feb 22nd 2008 by george

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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

60. Oh! c'mon! If it were not for the paparazzi..how would we EVER know that Leanne Rimes picked her nose??

Posted at 11:48AM on Feb 20th 2008 by rubygirl

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