California cracking down on paparazzi. Is this issue worth all the attention?

It appears California is once again cracking down on the paparazzi.

The two pieces of legislation were approved by the state Senate, which sent the paparazzi bill back to the Assembly to agree on amendments. AB 2479 would impose penalties of up to $5,000 with the possibility of jail time for photographers caught driving in a dangerous manner to get photos or video of celebrities.

"This bill is intended to address out-of-control paparazzi," said Sen. Curren Price Jr. (D-Inglewood). "They are employing more aggressive and unsafe tactics that endanger both celebrities and the general public."

The measure, sought by Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich, was approved on a 21-13 vote. Opponents, including Sen. Leland Yee (D- San Francisco), said they agreed with the California Newspaper Publishing Assn. that there already are laws against reckless driving and that the bill infringes on the rights of all members of the press.

What do you think? Share your view below.

Comments

[Lakers]

Well something needs to happen. I used to live down the street from a very famous Disney star - the paps would speed down the residential streets in their SUVs, go right through stop signs - it's really quite dangerous. All so they could stalk and photograph a young girl. It's sick and dangerous. These Paps are scum.

[maduceone]

Not worth the cost of law enforcement and may limit the general public's right to photos, autographs and any contact with "celebrities". BTW, who determines if a person is a celebrity? Or does this law apply to everybody? It is a shame that with all of California's problems, the legislature should have to spend time on this. Maybe, Lindsay Lohan could start a petition to get the California Constitution amended to protect her from the media .... but .. how would celebrities get free publicity? Maybe they would have to hire their own paparazzi to follow them around. The whole idea of this bill is ridiculous.

[Joe]

If you don't want be bothered by the paparrazi don't become famous.
In L.A. there are infinite more important things than this!!!!

[Erwin]

Special laws for celebrities? Certainly more important than, say, the state budget. Why not tack the budget onto this law as a rider then see how quickly it gets passed?

[Paul]

I think it is great…but of all LA neighborhoods does Inglewood really have one of the worser paparazzi problem?

[daphne]

yes it's worth it.
It's not to protect the celebrities. It's to protect the people driving their kids to school or driving to work who get caught in the chase. My 5 year old and I were one second away from being hit by a caravan of paparazzi who all flew through an intersection and stop sign chasing someone. Had I been distracted in any way or not happen to be a very defensive driver ( learned to drive in Boston) we would have been hit at a high speed.

It has happened many times to us. Mostly in Beverly Hills and around West Hollywood. We also can no longer go to our favorite playground because of the paparazzi- no parking, dangerous driving near it, camera lens.