LAPD Braces for Jackson Memorial; Tickets Popping Up on eBay

Officials discuss Tuesday's events, providing information on street closures and funeral arrangements

UPDATE: By 8 p.m. Sunday, tickets for the memorial were fetching more than $1,000 on various eBay auctions.

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Don't say we didn't warn you: If you don't have a ticket to the Michael Jackson memorial, don't go downtown.

The Los Angeles Police Department held a briefing Sunday morning to discuss the ever expanding list of details surrounding Tuesday's events and once again, police advised fans to stay home.

City officials are not naïve to the expected non-ticket-holding turnout. The specific number of fans anticipated to converge downtown is a "great unknown," but looking to the past offers some idea.

The funerals of such other iconic figures as Elvis and Princess Diana drew some 75,000 and 250,000 mourners, respectively, and taking into consideration Jackson's worldwide fame, the LAPD is prepping for several hundred thousand fans.

Officials are still in the planning process, but made clear that unless you are a designated ticket holder or credentialed press member, you will not be allowed in the "safe zone."

The "safe zone" boundaries will make much more sense to locals, but for out-of-town attendees, this area constitutes North Olympic Boulevard, South Pico Boulevard and East and West Blaine Street—basically, the perimeter of Staples Center.

While organizers have not laid out the schedule of events Tuesday, several big-name artists are expected to perform, including Jennifer Hudson.

No further details of the private Forest Lawn funeral service were provided, except that there are no plans for a family motorcade on Tuesday. There was also discussion of the efforts officials are putting into maintaining a respectful distance around the area for memorial proceedings.