Los Angeles braces for Jackson’s last moment in the spotlight

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of police deployed in downtown Los Angeles early Tuesday as the world’s entertainment capital braced itself for the memorial service of one of the greatest entertainers in history.

Police said the operation ahead of the public memorial for Michael Jackson exceeded that of all past events in the city’s history, including the 1984 Olympics, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Barriers were erected around much of the downtown area around the Staples Centre, the venue of the memorial, with access permitted only to ticket holders. Over 1.6 million people applied for the 17,500 tickets available through the online lottery. Police called on those without tickets to stay away from the area.

The public event was preceded by a private family memorial at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. But it appeared that contrary to earlier reports that Jackson would be buried there, his body would be taken to the Staples Centre service.

The memorial is designed to celebrate the life of Jackson, who died June 25 from cardiac arrest, and will feature performances by Mariah Carey, the surviving Jackson brothers, Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson.

Among the stars expected to attend are Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Lionel Richie, Liza Minnelli, Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, Usher, John Mayer and basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.