July 7th, 2009 | 
Author: It appears that these security guards are an ongoing problem and flagrantly and systematically violate the rights of photographers. According to the photographer who was clearly standing on a public sidewalk:
it seems that city officials don’t have a problem with ceding one of LA’s most popular tourist attractions to a bunch of bullies who couldn’t find a law in a law library. Of course Hollywood Boulevard is going to be photographed – every inch of it has been and will continue to be. And of course a security guard might find himself in someone’s frame, whether he’s detaining someone or just standing there. It’s not his (or her) place to do anything about it. These guards’ job is to only “observe and report,” and that doesn’t involved harassing and assaulting photographers.
Andrews International’s mentality of “observe and take action,” no matter where the incident occurs, has gone unchecked for too long and this type of behavior will continue to happen unless we pressure local officials (namely city councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge) to put an end to it.
If you wish to voice your concern regarding this outrageous behavior on the part of private security guards here are some officials to contact:
Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council President
Phone: (323) 957-4500
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.orgTom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 4
Phone: (213) 485-3337
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.orgDorothy Perez, Executive Assistant to Tom Labonge, District 4
Phone: (213) 485-3337
Email: dorothy.perez@lacity.orgAntonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles
Email: mayor@lacity.org—–Hollywood and Highland—–
Mike Harkins, Executive Security Director, Hollywood and Highland
Phone: (323) 468-2270
Email: MHarkins@hollywoodandhighlandsecurity.com—–Andrews International—–
Randy Andrews, Chairmand and Cheif Executive Officer
Email: randrews@andrewsinternational.comRoger Andrews, Executive Vice President
Email:roger.andrews@andrewsinternational.comSusan Arman, Vice President
Email: sarman@andrewsinternational.comRobin Bennyworth, Executive Director
Email: rbennyworth@andrewsinternational.comWilliam Besse, Executive Director of Consulting and Investigations
Email: wbesse@andrewsinternational.comMike Hargreaves, Regional Director, Southern California
Email: mhargreaves@andrewsinternational.comDan Hoffman, Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, Quality Control and HR
Email: dhoffman@andrewsinternational.comJohn Nagy, Senior Vice President, Southern California/Arizona Region
Email: john.nagy@andrewsinternational.com
Posted in Photography and the Law
Have a story to share that we did not cover? Want to discuss something in greater detail? Want to compare Nikon vs. Canon? Post it in our forum - all are welcome.
The photographer should have told them “if you touch me again I will respond with like FORCE”
Looks like a Photographers meeting place to me. About 20 with cameras and cam recorders. Then a trip to the ACLU. $$$$
.
Makes me smile