Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial
AFP
LOS ANGELES- Fans preparing to descend on Los Angeles for next week's Michael Jackson memorial service were urged to watch the event via television Friday amid fears of huge crowds of mourners at the event.
Speaking at a news conference to outline plans for the event at the Staples Center, Los Angeles city officials said ticket-less fans would be barred from the area surrounding the venue.

"If you do not have a ticket, if you are not credentialed, not only will you not be allowed at these venues, you will not be allowed in this area," Los Angeles Police Department chief Earl Paysinger said.
"I would encourage all of the Michael Jackson fans and well wishers to take advantage of the TV broadcast," Paysinger added.
Jackson's death on June 25 sparked a worldwide outpouring of grief and some reports had estimated that a million fans could head to Los Angeles for Tuesday's memorial, creating a logistical nightmare for authorities.
However Los Angeles City Council member Jan Perry urged fans to watch the event on television.
"I want to stress to those people who are coming or thinking of coming to our city for this special event that you might want to consider watching this from the comfort of your own home," Perry said.
"Without a ticket your very best option for viewing and experiencing this service commemorating the life of this extraordinary indidiviual (will be) from your home," she added.
No information about where Jackson would be buried or what Tuesday's service would comprise was given.
Organizers meanwhile revealed tickets for the event would be distributed via an Internet lottery, with fans registering at the Staples Center's website to enter a draw from Friday onwards.
Some 11,000 tickets would be made available for the event inside the Staples Center while an additional 6,500 tickets would be distributed for fans watching a live feed at the neighboring Nokia theater.
Officials said 8,750 pairs of tickets would be allotted to succesful entrants. Within minutes of the draw being announced the Staples Center website had crashed.
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