LAPD deploys 3,200 officers; supervisors worry about air traffic, crowds

At an early-morning briefing, top Los Angeles Police Department brass unveiled what they called an unprecedented response plan for Michael Jackson's funeral.

LAPD Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger addressed several hundred supervisors, who gathered at a 3 a.m. briefing in the gym of the Los Angeles Fire Academy to prepare for the event. He said deployment for past events, including the 1984 Olympics, "pale in comparison to what we have assembled today."

Some 3,200 officers are expected to be deployed during the memorials. He told them that with 1 billion people expected to watch the public memorial,  "literally, the eyes of the entire world will be on this place."

The LAPD has a few areas of concern. First is the crowd gathering around the so-called "cold zone," the outer perimeter blocks from the venue where people without tickets are expected to gather.

Second is the airspace above Staples. The department sought and got a temporary flight ban around the venue from the Federal Aviation Administration a mile around the venue, below 2,500 feet. Officials had been worried about a large number of helicopters layered at different altitudes. Also, a section of the northbound 110 Freeway will be closed today between Adams and 6th.

-- Andrew Blankstein in downtown L.A.

Comments

[Paul]

I hope the funds to pay for the event is coming out of MJ's estate. There is no reason the taxpayers should pay.

[Michael Snyder]

This is going to be a zoo! It's also a powder keg in a hot room. I'm afraid it will take one arrest (and there will be arrests) gone wrong; or even without the frustrated crowd's approval & that area is going to look like Rodney King re-visited.

Boy do I ever hope I'm wrong. But you can be sure there will be considerable distance between me & the Staples Center today.

[md]

ALL,

If you actually listen to his songs (Man in the Mirror) in particular, you'll come to see that Michael was about everyone making a change for the better not just him. The song is about not only him but YOU as well.

I think another will is hanging out (after 2002) there and the lawyers that now have control of Michaels estate had written it and is now hiding it because it nullifies the lawyers, according to Michaels final wishes.

M

[Tonya]

The world has lost a generous philanthropist and humanitarian who donated hundreds of millions of dollars in an effort to make the world a better place. His gentle soul will be greatly missed.

[DonJMac]

according to JAN PERRY, Los Angeles would LOVE to pay for this,She said they have monies set aside for events like this,,BUT LOS ANGELES CITY AND COUNTY ARE BROKE,Who's lieing and pimping who,,OH she is asking the jacksons to help,,But we don't really need it..

[O-town]

3200 LAPD officers. Last I checked, their salary came from the City and not Mr. Jackson's coffers. Do the math, people. I suppose people should be allowed to pay their respects, but the Staples Center, with performances by notable singers in the industry? Is this a viewing or a musical showcase the taxpayers are paying for?

[Ambergris]

What a media and fan frenzy.

For those of us who live and work in the area, today is going to be most uncomfortable and downright inconvenient.

Yes, Michael Jackson was a gifted performer. Does he deserve such an outpouring of extended grief? I don't really think so.

It's not just going to be those who have tickets who will be there, it will also be those who are here to "experience" this event with others. The whole "shared sadness" thing. We'll probably end up with crowds on the perimeter doing a group moonwalk and sing-a-long, in memory of MJ.

[PEDRO]

Amazing! Troops dying overseas, folks being killed in Iran, children starving in Africa and we're talking about this?

[sunrey]

...I'm 44 yo and have always been a big MJ fan. If my mother passed away and had 1000 friends, I would'nt dare ask the taxpayers to pay for securiity for a private affair. It's a disgrace the Jackson family thinks City of L.A. should pay fo their private affair. It's amazing, there never is any money to enhance schools or build facilities to help children. Then the elected office wave the magic wand and presto millions are available to the Jackson family. The City of L.A. has reached 2nd greatest low in my life, the first being the ' 92 riots and today it's immoral expenditure of taxpayer money. One would think the Mayor, with his background has seen the economic pain of his constituants living in the streets of Downtown L.A. Certainly some elected persons have noticed the need to provide food and shelter for those living on the streets rather than find it a priority to serve the the Jackson family a multi million dollar security grant? Something is terribly wrong with our city elected office to embrace this reckless giveway. The idea that taxpayer money is best suited for one super rich family on top of the backs of the poor and destitute shows the balance the Mayor has achieved in his lifetime. As a result of this immoral expenditure, he has decended into a life of depravity, and of being empowered to powerless. The elected office is also to blame, and they can do what they do best. And that is to go home with big smile knowing they did a great job of providing a great showfor the poor and the powerless living in the streets of Los Angeles.

Ramon

[Sharon]

The mayor and his entire cast of elected idiots should immediately step down from office. It's very clear that Villarai"grossa" and his cohorts have chosen to overlook our city's more pressing issues and allow this disgusting and repulsive waste of taxpayer's money to be used for today's filth! And that entire Jackson clan should be ashamed of themselves for not footing the bill! And finally, going back to our fine mayor and the rest, they should've grow a backbone and tell the Jackson's "pay up or take your tour elsewhere" What an entire bunch of losers we have representing us. I can hear the rest of the world laughing at us now!