LA plans for massive crowds during Michael Jackson public memorial; ticket lottery announced

LA police plan for huge crowd at Jackson memorial

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds downtown during Tuesday’s public memorial for Michael Jackson at Staples Center.

Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.

Staples Center is offering 17,500 free tickets through an Internet lottery. The tickets are for the arena or the adjacent Nokia Theatre.

City Councilwoman Jan Perry is strongly urging people to stay home and watch the memorial on TV.

The ceremony will not be shown on the giant outdoor TV screen at Staples and there will be no funeral procession through the city.