A city accustomed to outsized public spectacles headed into uncharted territory today, uncertain how fans would respond to a carefully planned public memorial to singer Michael Jackson -- an event expected to cost nearly $4 million in city services alone.
Authorities were throwing a wide cordon around Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, hoping that would keep away crowds who lacked tickets to a 10 a.m. memorial service featuring some big names, among them Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Brooke Shields and Stevie Wonder.
Thousands of police officers and firefighters were being assigned not only to that event, but to the Jackson family compound in Encino, the home Jackson rented in Holmby Hills and to Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in the Hollywood Hills, where the family was to hold a private service at 8 a.m.
Despite the severely limited opportunities to participate in the events, fans were pouring into Los Angeles from around the world, determined to say goodbye to a pop idol who inspired tremendous loyalty even through the most difficult phases of his career, which was marred by erratic behavior and allegations of child molestation.
Organizers and public officials were not disclosing information about several aspects of the farewell to Jackson, who suffered cardiac arrest at his home and died June 25 at age 50. In an apparent effort to discourage an unmanageable funeral procession, authorities were not saying exactly how Jackson's body would be moved from Forest Lawn to Staples Center.
Also unclear: Who was paying all the costs related to the televised memorial, being produced by AEG, the owner of Staples Center and the promoter that had been preparing to produce Jackson's comeback concert tour.
Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine called Monday on AEG to cover the full cost of the memorial, saying the company had made the decision to hold it at Staples. "I don't fault their decision," Zine said. "I'm just saying that it should be at their expense, not the taxpayers'."
Zine said Monday evening that officials in the chief legislative analyst's office estimated that security and logistical support alone would be $3.8 million.
An AEG spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zine said he asked City Atty. Carmen Trutanich to find out whether the city could take legal action to recoup its costs. A spokesman said the city attorney and his staff are "researching all options available to the city for reimbursement."
