SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, June 9, City Hall discussed conducting investigations on paparazzi photographer and videographer activities and made recommendations to protect the privacy of children in schools, their families and teachers.  

Richard Bloom, Santa Monica City Council member wrote in an e-mail to Canyon News that he has received letters and e-mails from concerned parents regarding the paparazzi at the First Presbyterian Nursery School. 

He writes, "I have received a lot of them.  I have also met with parents at the school.  They are extremely upset that their children are experiencing this invasive and intrusive conduct and want something done about it."

The council directed city staff members to investigate the paparazzi and make recommendations to the council on how to regulate them, while also protecting their First Amendment rights.

 

The First Presbyterian Nursery School. Photo by Joanne DeCaro Afornalli

"The Constitution permits reasonable regulation of time, place and manner of conduct covered by the first amendment.  I think a reasonable buffer zone is one possible solution," Bloom recommended.

Bloom states he hopes to have the recommendations in the next couple of months.

"This discussion is not about celebrities. It is about protecting the privacy and innocence of very young children," Bloom said. 

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