Many people are already aware of the fact Malibu is home to many hollywood celebrities and stars, but is this knowledge now becoming a danger to their safety? A recent bill has been formed to target aggressive paparazzi in Malibu to prevent the harassment of stars. The bill has already been approved by the state on Tuesday. The bill known as the “anti-paparazzi” was approved by a 21-13 vote. The last stamp of approval remains in the hands of Gov. Arnold  Schwarzenegger. It will heighten the punishment against those who willfully interfere with the driver of another vehicle,  preventing easy passage or follows a pattern of conduct that could be seen as stalking for the want to record an image for commercial purposes. Punishment may result in a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, or/and jail time upon conviction. If stalking or harassment involves a child, an additional year of jail time added.

Most paparazzi are respectful, however some will try very hard to photograph a celebrity in compromising or emotional situations. Manyl incidents of celebrity stalking, ramming of cars or harassment have been recorded. One of the most famous occured in 1997 with the death of Princess Diana in Paris after being pursued by photographers. Recently actress Reese Witherspoon claimed she was chased in a Disneyland parking lot by a aggressive tabloid  photographer. At Little Dume Beach in 2008 a brawl erupted of  paparazzi trying to photograph actor Matthew McConaughey. Locals tried to defend him. Both sides walked away with some severe injures.  The concern that some paparazzi stake out schools to get a shot of celebrity children was expressed by Sen. Fran Pavley. Some previous action had been taken by assembly member Julia Brownley in 2007. She made it illegal to sell nonpublic information in the course of a criminal investigation, something celebrity publications have been known to do. It is widely agreed that paparazzi behavior has become very aggressive in recent years and doesn’t look as though it is changing. Many locals hope that Malibu will be a safe home for everyone on and off the big screen.