NEWSMichael Jackson's Memorial Cost L.A. $1.4 Million
July 9 2009, Published 3:04 p.m. ET
No one ever said saying good-bye to the King of Pop would be easy -- or inexpensive: L.A. shelled out $1.4 million to provide security, security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson's memorial service, city officials said Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.
Most of that went towards the $1.1 million in overtime pay for the 4,173 police officers who were securing the Staples Center, Forest Lawn cemetery and any other area that attracted large numbers of people, the LAPD said. Money also went towards traffic control and cleanup.
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City officials are looking at ways to defray the cost, including forcing third parties to pay some of the bill, and setting up a Web site urging fans to make tax-deductible donations to help out. So far contributions have reached $17,000 but have been set back by technical problems.
