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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91. I cannot believe you hypocrites!! You can't log on to TMZ for your daily dose of celebrity smut and degrade the people brave enough to capture it for you. I, for one, say "let my papzi's free". The over-exposed celebs sign up for this stalking the first time they accept a personal invite from Villa or agreed to have their "real" life taped in the hills. Britney, God love her, is a mess because she's ill. It has nothing to do with a few cameras in her face. In fact, at times she appears to only trust those behind the lens.

Posted at 3:51PM on Feb 20th 2008 by amy

92. GREAT! Lock up all the Paps! Woo Hoo!!

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

93. Almost forgot to mention:

Didn't the commissioner at Brit's custody hearing yesterday say that the PAPARAZZI PROBLEMS ARE UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HANDLE??

So they're handling it.

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

94. Good for the cops!! It's about time. It's nice to see pix of the celebreties when they are at a publicized event, but not stalking their every move. Yeah, I'm guility of looking, but maybe now, I can get some damn work done!

Posted at 12:04PM on Feb 20th 2008 by perplexed

95. Hey Harvey!!!!! Guess your gonna have to cut back to one night a week on your TV show!!!!!!!!!! What WILL you do????? Boo HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Theres a big difference in getting an interview or picture with a willing celebrity, but this crap of shoving a camera practically up a celebs a$$ is so over the top. Where I come from we have NO LOITERING laws. Your trash is constantly loitering waiting for that infamous picture...................your herd of turds should have been stopped a long time ago. I guess better late than never.

Posted at 12:06PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Montana

96. Glad to hear it! Do you think maybe the reason they are doing this is to prevent bad things from happening because of the photo stalkers!

Posted at 12:36PM on Feb 20th 2008 by ms.behavin

97. RIGHT ON!
IT'S ABOUT TIME.
MAYBE THE COPS WILL START ARRESTTING THE CAMMERA STALKERS THAT CONSTANTLY SIT PARKED OUT SIDE BRINTNEYS HOUSE TOO! LA STANDS TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF FORCING THESE CAMMERA STALKERS TO LEAVE THE STARS ALONE. IF THE COPS CAN'T PROTECT BRITNEY FROM ALL OF THESE CAMMERA STALKERS, SHE SHOULD HIRE A HUGE TEAM OF SECURITY AND BILL LA FOR THE SERVICE. MAYBE THEN THE LA COPS WILL DO THEIR JOB AND PROTECT IT'S TAX PAYERS, EVEN THE FAMOUS ONES.

Posted at 12:08PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Mom

98. It was not the "LA Police" or the "Hollywood Sheriff" (there is no such thing) who made the arrests. It was the LA County Sheriff, who provides law enforcement services for smaller cities in LA County like West Hollywood who cannot afford their own police department.

Posted at 12:08PM on Feb 20th 2008 by SoCalGal

99. Im glad. I dont care what they were doing at least they are not stalking anyone!

Posted at 12:09PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Star

100. Too damn bad. In the mad frenzy to create news when in fact there is none, you've sold your souls. Build them up and then bring them down for the amusement of the mindless. . a great way to make a buck, huh?

Posted at 12:11PM on Feb 20th 2008 by HuhWha?

101. 48. Posted at 11:47AM on Feb 20th 2008 by Jayne

I read the story AND watched the video and all I listed occurred. Also, a police officer gave a direct order and it was not obeyed. Standing on a sidewalk without purpose except to annoy is called loitering. This was not a peaceable assembly.
Move along little doggies, move along.

Posted at 12:11PM on Feb 20th 2008 by idaho potato

102. Good!!!

The photogs at TMZ are iditot animals too...anyone see that video where Britney ran over the photogs foot? Really looked like the pap stuck his foot out there for her to run over.

Maybe stupid Harvey put him up to it.

Posted at 12:12PM on Feb 20th 2008 by TMZ is just like the rest of 'em

103. good. it's absurd how many people are out snapping photos these days. 50 people following britney spears around? that is absurd and it is causing safety hazards to the general public.

i hope they keep cracking down.

Posted at 3:07PM on Feb 20th 2008 by TheDenverB

104. I don't know where you have been but the paps most certainly stalk the celebs...

Posted at 12:13PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Me

105. TMZ you get what you deserve!. I think this is great and vindication for all the celebs who get stalked by your and other
paps cameras. So LOL at you tmz.

Posted at 12:13PM on Feb 20th 2008 by Thepotcallingthekettleblacklol

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