In Defense of Crashers

Life may be about to get harder for party crashers.

AB 451, sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley's Anthony Portantino, would establish a new crime: making it a trespass "to enter an event not open to the general public without authorization from the person lawfully in possession of the property." Penalties would be up to 6 months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense, and up to $2,000 for a second offense.

Portantino offered the bill at the urging of the Screen Actors Guild, which has been plagued by "gate crashers" for its award show.

First, it's not clear to me whether fame-seekers trying to crash awards shows is a problem worthy of the legislature's attention in economic times like these. Second, even if we have an epidemic here that somehow imperils security, I doubt that such penalties are enough to stop the sort of canny, determined fame-seekers that live among us here in Los Angeles.

Finally, as a reporter who has sneaked into all kinds of private events where important news was being made (I've been thrown out of more political fundraisers -- which should be public but typically aren't -- than I can count), I worry that this bill could further criminalize journalistic behavior that is in the public interest.

The world already has too many locked gates and too many trespassing signs. The legislature, if anything, should be acting to open up more spaces and more public records to public scrutiny.

IMPORTANT ADD: Portantino called me this afternoon to make the case that the bill is narrowly drawn and shouldn't affect journalist's work. He said law enforcement needed discretion to deal with people who snuck into events like these awards shows and were disruptive when asked to leave. There have been repeat crasher-offenders who are difficult to prosecute under current law.

"I think it’s drafted in a way that does give law enforcment a way to make sure people are safe,” he said.

I said I was worried that if I found a way to sneak in, uninvited, to such an event as a journalist, this law could be used against me. He said he didn't see that as a real threat, since if I were to show up at an awards show in formal attire, I'd look good and would blend in and not be disruptive.

“I’m assuming when you’re in your evening gown, you look very good," Portantino told me.

Mr. Assemblyman, you have no idea how good.

Contact Us