Are the paparazzi mobs that surround celebrities like Britney Spears dangerous enough to enact a new statute?
Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine hopes so. He's drawn up legislation that, if enacted, would create a 20-yard perimeter, or "personal safety zone," around people worthy of an Us Weekly cover.
In order to have the instant restraining order to keep photogs at bay, celebs would need to be licensed, with a permit issued by City Hall. The law would also call for the confiscation of all profits from paparazzi who snap shots taken in violation of that safety zone, though who would get those dollars – the celebrity or the city – isn't clear.
Such status isn't as exclusive as a Centurion card, but even American Express' "ask us for anything" concierge can't guarantee a star's ability to back out of a parking space.
If the law does pass, one question will remain: How to allow celebrity-sanctioned paparazzi – you know, the lensmen they call before leaving the house, or the photogs they arrange to shoot faux candids with in exchange for a sales cut – to breach the perimeter? Would Britney have to put X17 on file with City Hall?
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Editorial Director
With zoom lenses and 12 Megapixal Digital photography, there is absolutely NO NEED to be flashing strobes within 6 inches of a celebrity's face. Further proof that you all are purposely going out of your way to be d***kheads.
This may be one of the best ideas for celebrities (both in the media and in political spheres) that has come up in a long time. Remember what these blood-sucking paparazzi did to Princess Di overseas? Policies such as this in place here in North America, starting with Los Angeles, will go a long way to preventing these tragedies in the future.