Michael Jackson's public memorial at the Staples Center is open only to 17,500 fans randomly selected to receive free tickets, officials announced Friday.
Everyone else should stay home and watch it on TV, they said.
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In a bid to prevent mass chaos in downtown Los Angeles' traffic-choked streets, the memorial will not be simulcast on big outdoor screens and fans will not be able to get anywhere close to the event.
"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 assistant chief Earl Paysinger said.
"Watch it on TV."
Friday's hastily planned news conference was remarkable for how few details of the memorial were released.
The hundreds of reporters gathered outside the 20,000-seat Staples Center learned nearly nothing about who will appear at the memorial or what the format will be.
Among the lingering questions is how much will the event cost to an already cash-strapped city.
City Councilwoman Jan Perry said money has been set aside to cover security costs, but she pleaded for private donors to help pay for sanitation and other services.
"The city would appreciate help to offset what are the incremental costs," Perry said.
Fans interested in attending must register at Staplescenter.com.
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