> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Santa Monica safe from paparazzi frenzy — for now - URL: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-safe-from-paparazzi-frenzy-for-now/ - Published: 2008-06-27T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T19:59:24.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Sports, Malibu, #archive-import *Santa Monica offers relative peace to low-key celebrities* *By CHRISTINA YOON Special to the Daily Press* MALIBU While Malibu City Hall struggles to mediate brewing hostility between its territorial locals and the pervasive paparazzi, the vibe in Santa Monica is comparatively free of the flashing lights and aggressive tactics of celebrity photographers. The reason — less star power and a more laid-back atmosphere. “Although there are quite a few celebrities in Santa Monica, it is definitely a much more mellow scene,” said Brandy Navarre, co-owner of the leading paparazzi agency x17. Tension between photographers and residents in Malibu led to violence last weekend when brawls erupted between local surfers and paparazzi, who were on the beach trying to capture a shot of actor Matthew McConaughey’s famously-sculpted body as he surfed. The altercations were caught on tape and posted on celebrity gossip blogs such as x17online.com and TMZ.com. At a press conference in Malibu on Wednesday, Capt. Tom Martin of the Malibu/Lost Hills Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station said that two detectives were assigned to investigate and identify perpetrators in the weekend attacks. He also addressed threats for future fights exchanged between locals and photographers on Web site comment threads throughout the week and warned that sheriffs would “enforce the law very vigorously.” The incident has revived discussion among Malibu residents and city officials about placing restrictions on paparazzi. The once-secluded beach community is now home to many famous residents including Pamela Anderson and Courteney Cox. “We are a small town and last year we spent a quarter of our budget for our sheriff and law enforcement,” said Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich at Wednesday’s press conference. She said that she has asked Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, to “step up enforcement of existing laws” that paparazzi photographers regularly violate, such as speeding and illegal U-turns on Pacific Coast Highway. Mayor Ulich is also working with Kenneth Starr, who is currently the dean of the Pepperdine University School of Law, to form a task force that would make recommendations for regulations “where gaps in the law exist.” Both photographers and legal experts expressed doubts about laws restricting paparazzi photography. “There’s no question that there are some behaviors that are not only obnoxious but illegal,” said John Nockleby, professor of law and the director of the civil justice program at Loyola Law School. “But you can’t simply say that people who have a profession of newsgathering can’t write stories or take pictures.” He said that Ulich and others working to regulate paparazzi in Malibu would have to define illegal behavior in a way that does not single out the press. Navarre said that the incident, although unusual, signifies a greater tension that’s been brewing between photographers and residents in Malibu. In contrast, Navarre said, Santa Monica residents and businesses take a friendlier approach to paparazzi photographers on their streets. “We haven’t had any negative experiences in Santa Monica,” she said, although celebrities such as Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon frequent the city’s shops and restaurants. “The city has a lot of attractions, so stars are always around,” said Sgt. Renaldi Thruston, spokesman for the Santa Monica Police Department. “But we don’t have any ordinances or municipal codes regarding paparazzi.” Thruston said that photographers and any members of the press would be held to the same traffic and trespassing laws as anyone else. Santa Monica City Attorney Marsha Moutrie added that there are no local laws pertaining to celebrity photographers, but that city attorneys would prosecute if members of the paparazzi violated any state or local laws. Santa Monica business owners say that they don’t see a need for a crackdown on paparazzi like those in Malibu do. Sheena Templeton, who has worked at the London Sole boutique on Montana Avenue for two months, said that she sees small groups of paparazzi in the area about once every two weeks, but that they have never caused a disruption. She also says that while she often sees celebrities like Diana Ross and Marcia Cross in her shop, they rarely bring paparazzi mayhem with them. “The type of celebrity that comes around here isn’t looking for press,” she said. “They’re a more low-key, older celebrity.” Templeton and others who work in the area said that Santa Monica caters more to families, offering less of a glamorous scene than Malibu. “I don’t think people come here to be seen,” said Conor Ford, who has worked at the upscale denim shop Jeany on Montana for a year and a half. Victor Owyang, a longtime paparazzi photographer and the president of celebrity photo agency National Photo Group, said that although Santa Monica has successfully avoided unwanted intrusion by paparazzi photographers, he doesn’t expect high-profile celebrities to move south any time soon. “I don’t buy the idea that celebrities would run for privacy,” he said. “Everyone knows what they’re getting into in Malibu.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 27, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/062708.pdf?ref=smdp.com)