July 5, 2011

Will & Kate royal visit: LAPD has plan to rein in paparazzi

Paparazzi anticipating a veritable royal feast of photographs when Prince William and his wife, Catherine, visit Los Angeles may be in for a rude awakening -- and a potential jail stay -- if they expect to take shots of the royal couple in certain parts of Hancock Park.

The Los Angeles Police Department has secured no-trespassing letters from residents who live in seven homes around the June Street residence where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend the night.

Those who live around the British consul general's residence have also signed keep-away orders, giving officers free rein to arrest prying paparazzi on the spot if they try to capture images of the royals while on private property.

"Our primary concern is to protect the rights and privacy of the residents as well as the safety of the royal couple upon their visit here to the United States," LAPD spokeswoman Mitzi Fierro said. "If they trespass on property where we have a signed trespass letter, they will be arrested immediately."

Some tabloids have already made lucrative offers to residents in the area but have not gotten any takers in the immediate area where the royal couple are staying, Fierro said.

The royal couple arrive in Los Angeles on Friday. On Saturday evening, they will attend a black-tie dinner and reception hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts — of which William is president — at the recently renovated Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The “BAFTA Brits to Watch” event aims to spotlight emerging British talent and build partnerships between Hollywood and up-and-coming British actors.

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