L.A. Pressuring Paparazzi

(CBS)  It sometimes looks like the Wild West on the streets of Los Angeles, with hordes of paparazzi chasing down celebrities and creating pandemonium and, frequently, danger.

Now, authorities in Los Angeles are turning up the heat on the photographers, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.

And the cost of getting a shot of celebrities such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton could now include a trip to jail.

This week, sheriff's deputies arrested four photographers in two separate incidents as they waited for Spears at a salon and Lohan outside a club.

Deputies maintain this isn't official crackdown -- they're simply enforcing laws against blocking the sidewalk.

"The paparazzi have grown in numbers. ... Six months ago, you would have 10 to 15 to 20 that would obey the rules. Now, you have 50 to 100 that don't obey the rules," says L.A. sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Paparazzi were out in force when Spears went to court last month, and again when she was taken to the psych ward. That, says Hughes, was the last straw for officials, as photographers blocked the hospital entrance and even surrounded Spears' dad.

Whitmore insists the public is now asking for the help of authorities to stop the madness, saying, "Basically, what were getting are calls of complaints, people that have to swerve their vehicles, people that are out for a simple with their dog, that they can't navigate the sidewalk because there's 50-60 people, they have cameras. They're moving about, they're jostling."

Harvey Levin, who runs celebrity Web site TMZ.com, says two of its fotogs were among the ones arrested and, "We were told by someone in the sheriff's department that this was by way of example -- they wanted to teach people a lesson."

Levin says his photographers are required to maintain a strict code of behavior, but others don't.

And now, Hughes points out, they're attacking one another.

"But," Levin asserts, "it's not about standing on the sidewalk; it's about blowing red lights, ramming into cars, threatening to kill people -- and that really is going on."

Bill Graham, director of operations for paparazzi Web site x17.com, says he, too, is concerned that aggressive behavior is escalating: "There's more drama than there should be. ... There are some cowboys out there and, for whatever reason, they're chasing what they think is easy money, and that's not a good thing."

Officials say they must control the celebrity chase before someone ends up dead.

"We do know," Whitmore observes, "that this kind of situation has ended in tragic results. We certainly don't want that. ... If they obey the law, it won't get any worse."

The photographers who were arrested face up to a year in jail if convicted.

[keithle1]

Like the paparazzi care about jail time. Big whoop. Sooner or later, a celeb will get really hurt or maybe killed during the paparazzi pandemonium. Or maybe an innocent but cute little girl (has to be cute) will be run over by a photographer''s SUV. Britney is taking a poop on the Hollywood Walk of Fame & he doesn''t want to miss that. Then they''ll be much wailing & gnashing of teeth. George Clooney will hold a press conference with a serious look on his face.

[usbrit-2009]

When I lived in LA Harvey Levin was a respected legal correspondant for one of the major netork news outlets. I guess the money''s better on the dark side. As for celebritities (mispelling intended) I have little sympathy for those who court this sort of attention, but when the public is being trampled on it''s time for a crackdown. As for me - show me the money, keep the fame.

[msivycat]

I truly agree with jenni2007, it is about time. Just because these people gave up their privacy when they became famous doesn''t mean they should give up their personal space and safety. Nor should the residents of the city have to give up their safety just so these guys can get the shot. It''s about time they tried to do something before something bad happens in that town rather than waiting for something to go wrong. I think more residents should complain.

[jenni2007-2009]

Its about time. No, its past time that something be done. They have a 6-foot rule to protect strippers...why not celebrities, too?