Police Chief Slams Proposed 'Britney Law'....

Plans to protect celebrities like Britney Spears from the paparazzi have been dealt a major blow by Los Angeles Police Department (Lapd) chief William Bratton, who insists the troubled star should just "stay home".In a U.S. radio interview on Wednesday (20Feb08), Bratton slammed L.A. City Councilman Dennis P. Zine's recent bill proposal that would make it illegal for members of the paparazzi to photograph celebrities in designated safety zones if not licenced.The Lapd boss is adamant the 26-year-old could conserve city resources - if she chose to stay indoors.He says, "What we need is Britney Spears to stay home instead of traipsing all over town. That would solve the problem. We don't need additional laws.I've got laws coming out my ears to deal with this issue."What you have is several young women in this town and several young men basically making fools of themselves and tying up not only my resources but the resources of the media that would do better covering legitimate stories instead of a bunch of airheads running around out there."Quite clearly, some of these characters so favoured by the paparazzi are clearly in need of services. Not police services, but psychiatric services."It was Spears' police escort from her Coldwater Canyon home to Ucla Medical Center last month (31Jan08) which prompted the proposal. The motorcade included an ambulance, at least a dozen Lapd officers on motorcycles and a helicopter - all at a reported cost to authorities of $24,000 (£12,000).

Meanwhile in related news Britney Spears' estranged manager Sam Lutfi has had a temporary restraining order filed against him extended until 17 March (08).

U.S. District Judge Phillip Gutierrez actioned the order on Thursday (21Feb08) evening in response to a request made by the singer's father Jamie, who is co-conservator of Spears' estate.

Lutfi was finally served with the legal papers at 11am on Thursday as he left his Los Angeles apartment. Jamie claimed he had avoided being served for three weeks.

Under the terms of the order, Lutfi is forbidden from being within 250 yards (228 metres) of the Toxic singer, her properties or any of her family's properties.

The original order restricting Lutfi's contact with Spears was served on 1 February (08) and was due to expire on Friday (22Feb08).

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