The LAPD is having sleepless nights over Jacko’s memorial service. The King of Pop, who was famous for drawing colossal crowds to his larger than life shows, is expected to repeat the magic once again this Tuesday. As a precautionary drill, the LAPD is doing everything possible to control the size of the crowd, including requesting people who don’t have tickets to the memorial to stay home.
TMZ reports,
Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the press today and reiterated time and time again that people who aren’t lucky enough to win the drawing for tickets to the memorial should just stay home and watch it on TV.
The LAPD will also block off several square blocks around Staples Center (see above) but may expand the area based on the size of the crowd.To help reduce costs, McDonnell said they would try and send as many cops home as quickly as possible ??? crowd size willing ??? and that cops making OT would be the first to go. So far, he said, no private entities have step forward to help alleviate the cost.
The public memorial will take place at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday at 10 a.m. About 1.6 million people have registered for a chance at 17,500 free tickets to the memorial and a nearby simulcast at Nokia Theatre.
I doubt if the LAPD can actually control the crowd once it starts flowing in. Anyone who thinks Jacko fans will stay home and miss the memorial just because of some damn tickets is in for a real shock.
