City of Los Angeles could require space between celebrities and paparazzi

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Los Angeles city councilman wants a buffer zone between celebrities and paparazzi.

A proposed ordinance would require photographers to stay several feet away from celebrities to create a "personal safety zone." The zone would have to be wide enough to allow cars and people to pass safely.

About a month ago when Britney Spears was first taken from her home by paramedics, there was a frenzy of photographers who crowded and chased the ambulance. Thursday, police vehicles and a helicopter provided an escort as the young pop star was again taken to a psychiatric hospital, reportedly for an evaluation.

Councilman Dennis Zine says the paparazzi problem has become an "outrageous" danger to the public. And he says if something's not done about it, somebody's going to get seriously hurt.