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

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 17) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. Ha-ha!! hope the next arrest is filed under "stalking" and you get a nice criminal record out of the deal!
Suckers!!!!

Posted at 12:07PM on Feb 20th 2008 by SuziOn

77. Well it's about time somebody finally put some of you paparazzi jerks in your place.

Posted at 11:59AM on Feb 20th 2008 by James

78. Boo freakin hoo! It's the profession you chose..wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone had a job where rules didn't apply? You brought this upon yourself!

Posted at 11:59AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Pam

79. It's about time. The paparazzi has gotten totally out of hand!

Posted at 12:57PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Linda

80. Good, I am glad the cops finally stepped up to the plate, maybe if the PHOTOGS would quit following and snapping pictures of all the little sluts, ie: Spears, Lohan, Hilton and that VERY UGLY Ritchie. they would start acting like mature adults instead of attention grabing little whores.

Posted at 11:59AM on Feb 20th 2008 by JosiahL

81. Yay! About time! Hey, TMZ. Do you honestly think people care about your paps being arrested? You're out of touch with realizty. Just wish the police had kept them in jail longer.

Posted at 12:00PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Bev

82. Hooray for the County Sheriff !! The day the paps were climbing and pounding on Brit's ambulance is the day the whole "free speech" argument went out the window. It was disturbing to many of us here in LA county. Glad the Sheriff has stepped it up.

I think they should bust the paps not just for moving violations but for jaywalking, loitering, congregating without a parade permit ,and spitting chewing gum on the sidewalk. Remember, Al Capone was imprisoned for tax evasion when they couldn't get him for the violent crimes.

Lovin' it !!!

Posted at 12:01PM on Feb 20th 2008 by SoCalGal

83. THANK HOLLYWOOD SHERIF DEPT IT'S ABOUT TIME.

Posted at 12:00PM on Feb 20th 2008 by joel

84. First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Underline the word ‘peaceably.’ That does not give the photogs the right to knock over garbage cans, peep into windows, trespass, loiter, cause a commotion, become a public spectacle, or stalk and harass an individual.

Sorry, tmz’s rights end where my rights begin.

Posted at 12:02PM on Feb 20th 2008 by idaho potato

85. Boo hoo cry me a river , I hope LAPD follows the lead of the lA county sherriffs department and starts to sweat all of these fools , because I hate to say this your not the news media so get over it you all blew it and now because you thought you could do as you chose you get what you have sewn so enjoy the fruits of your and all like you actions this aint the wild west where you can do as you please there are , hear me rules for conduct in this world , dont like it go live in europe back where most of this behavior started by the paps

Posted at 12:02PM on Feb 20th 2008 by craphound

86. Funny hats for paps
sven

Posted at 12:05PM on Feb 20th 2008 by sven

87. Yeah!!!!

The LA police took the advice I posted yesterday!

-grin-

Posted at 12:02PM on Feb 20th 2008 by a

88. FINALLY.........
I have asked, petitioned, demanded and cajoled the police to get control of this unbridled abuse by all of you. Your tactics go far beyond anyones right to need to know. You are strictly profit driven and hide behind the pretext that you are providing a service. I hope they REALLY crack down on all of this. The police get my complete support for doing their job.

I am all for freedom of information and respect for the press in gathering it, but wht you and these others do is more like vultures than press professionals.

I hope they drain Harvey of every dime he has tie up his entire staff with court appearances until he takes the high road with his news gathering tactics.

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

89. IF BRITNEY WOULDN'T LET THE PAPS KNOW WHERE SHE IS GOING EVERY TIME SHE LEAVES THE HOUSE THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. I'LL BET WHEN SHE'S AT HOME AND NO ONE IS TAKING HER PICTURE SHE SITS IN FRONT OF A STROBE LIGHT FOR COMFORT.

Posted at 11:55AM on Feb 20th 2008 by toothfairy


She does NOT call them you moron!!!

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

90. Wow HAPPY: Go get yourself some anger management classes.

Cite me the law where "blocking the sidewalk" is now illegal.

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

Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments