Shia LaBeouf’s Neighbors Scrutinized for Building Giant Wall to Guard from Paparazzi

Actor Shia LaBeouf’s Sherman Oaks neighbors erected a towering wall in front of their home to block bothersome paparazzi last year, and city planning officials have deemed the wall in violation of city building codes. A Los Angeles City Council meeting on the matter is scheduled for today. LaBeouf, who supports his neighbor’s blockade, has penned a letter asking council members to allow the wall to remain intact. The letter will be read during today’s meeting.

The 120-foot-long white wall surrounding the front of the home on the 3900 block of Deervale Drive “looks like the Great Wall of China,” said Elke Heitmeyer of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, reports Sherman Oaks Patch. Heitmeyer and other residents claim the “eyesore” violates the L.A. City ordinance that limits the height of walls in residential areas.

City officials say the wall is in violation of city building codes. “I need that wall for security reasons,” said Orit Picker, the resident responsible for the wall. “Seven days a week the paparazzi are on my property, damaging my car, invading my privacy just because they’re trying to get photos of my neighbor, the actor Shia LaBeouf.”

According to Heitmeyer and the homeowners association, the city enforces a wall height restriction of three-and-a-half-feet. Picker’s wall “is more than seven-feet high,” said Heitmeyer, who also claims that the wall was built on city property.

Picker is fighting back to keep her paparazzi barricade. She has collected signed documents from all surrounding neighbors confirming that they have no objections to the wall.

LaBeouf, who is filming in Canada and cannot attend the hearing, writes in defense of his neighbors, saying that he was forced to hire private security guards due to the incessant flow of media and sightseers at his home, including “occasional potentially violent stalkers,” who attempt to sneak peeks at LaBeouf’s backyard and photograph him. He adds that his neighbors were concerned for their safety, security and peace of mind.

City officials are reportedly working on a solution that will please both sides.

Source: Laist