Los Angeles city official estimates Jackson memorial cost at "$3.5 million and rising"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

How much is the Michael Jackson memorial event going to cost people in taxes?
—Michaela, Sylmar

Most of the obedient serfs close to the memorial aren't saying how much it will cost citizens—and that includes public safety folks who, I could have sworn, work for us.

However, a city official tells me we're looking at this costing Los Angeles $3.5 million. And rising. For a city that is operating on a deep deficit.

Still, to dedicated fans, that cost may sound reasonable; as Al Sharpton is so keen on reminding us, we're dealing with an icon who apparently needs his own postage stamp and national holiday.

However, you may be chapped to learn exactly how much the Jackson family and promoter AEG will be benefiting from this outlay of public funds...

We already know that 11,000 fans will pack the Staples Center tomorrow. But less well known is that the Jackson family reportedly commandeered an additional 9,000 seats for its own private guests. So, much of the security surrounding Jackson's "public" memorial tomorrow is actually, in essence, security for a private party for the Jacksons and their friends.

Oh, I'm sorry, did I say party? I meant respectful, dignified memorial costarring a runner-up from Britain's Got Talent.

Before you pile on to cluck at my lack of respect, I'm not alone. I have backup.

"We have city employees getting pink slips because the city dollars are not there," points out L.A. City Councilman Dennis Zine. But even though city officials have asked AEG to pick up some of the public costs, the company has declined, Zine tells me. AEG did not respond to my requests for comment.

"You would think AEG would say, 'We're the ones who did this, we could have had a private ceremony and not a major public memorial.' AEG is a big entertainment company. They're going to get international coverage and tons of publicity from this."

And just what kind of city effort are we talking here?

* At least 1,400 police officers to keep the peace
* Workers from the Department of Transportation to arrange and enforce street closures
* Still more workers from the Department of Public Works to keep the area clean and operating
* Fire and rescue specialists, just in case too many rabid fans moonwalk into one another out in the streets

If you're wondering if the city might decide to stand up for itself eventually, you're not alone. Zine says the city attorney's office is looking into the public outlay of funds and may take unspecified action; the city attorney's office didn't immediate comment when I contacted them this afternoon.

And just in case you still think it's disrespectful to the dead to be discussing money like this, a note: According to Zine—who got this information from an official at the Los Angeles Coliseum—the Jacksons briefly mulled doing their memorial there. And they also were considering charging for the tickets.

(Originally published July 6, 2009, at 2:57 p.m. PT)

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/ask_the_answer_bitch/b132819_will_michael_jackson_memorial_cost.html

[Winterblues]

1. Boo fucking hoo, it is their duty

Any large gathering of people means the Police have to maintain order. It is what they are paid to do. Would we hear the same outcry if it were for a Palin gathering or an Obama gathering?

[Mike Daniels]

17. The last I recall this event was being "produced" by the Jacksons and MJ's concert promoter.

Since when is the city obligated to offer free security and sanitary services for an event being held by a private firm?

[TahitiNut]

29. Indeed. And HOW much in taxes has Michael Jackson and "associates" paid over the years????

Sheesh! Michael Jackson has bee a fucking INDUSTRY ... and both LA and California have benefited handsomely from them.

[AngryOldDem]

2. Sorry, but the family and AEG should be footing the bill for this.

If they think the public needs a sendoff like this, then they should pay for it. They don't have to do this. They could have left it at just the private ceremony at Forest Lawn. In a way, that would have been much more respectful. But no -- anything for more attention. What a way to treat a dead human being -- exploit him until he's in the ground, and then look for the next opportunity. I don't even want to speculate about how the jackals will feed on that.

And... I will be the first to predict disaster when the crowds see the casket. For many, that will be the first tangible evidence that he is, indeed, dead. I hope CHP, LAPD, and whoever else are ready.

[cbdo2007]

5. The family and AEG are footing the bill for much of it.

It's funny you say that and then say "i'll be the first to predict disaster when the crowds see the casket..." - exactly, that is the city's responsibility is to provide order and safety during a large event.

The family is footing the bill for the private service and funeral arrangements, casket and burial stuff. AEG is footing the bill for running the staples center, tickets, nokia theater.

[AngryOldDem]

6. Are they reimbursing the city at all? n/t

[cbdo2007]

8. reimbursing them for what? for keeping order in the city?

No, that's their job.

[AngryOldDem]

10. So you're telling me this is just another day in LA?

You might want to get some perspective from this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6005120#6005390

If the family and the promoter want this sideshow, fine. But they should also help out with **all** the attendant costs.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

39. They are doing much more than keeping order. Imagine the funeral procession on the fwy without

the closures. It would get worse from there.

[Sanctified]

24. Is the city giving them a kick back for the Tax Revenues they are generating?

I am willing to bet that this funeral will generate more money in tax revenue for the city than it will cost them.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

38. Dream on

Most of the taxes go to the state to begin with.

[emilyg]

16. Agree.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. One if the richest cities in the world's whining about $3.5 million?

Then stop voting against taxes, ya dicks.

[taught_me_patience]

7. We just raised the sales tax to 9.75%

.5% to pay for transportation projects. How are we voting against taxes?

[JVS]

11. LOL

[Johonny]

12. please send money to us

stop telling us how to run our city. If you want MJ on public display please feel free to send money to us. There is nothing in the law preventing you. If you feel we are too cheap please show us a prime example by paying a little of your own cash for it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. Hey, the public itself wants the MJ wake.

The public should pay for it.

[Johonny]

19. I agree send your money now!

if every fan sent 10 $, 5 $ 1 $ what ever you can spare there would be no LA city debt for this event. What not paying? You seem to always want to spend someone elses money huh.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. I'm not a part of the LA public.

Ergo, I don't pay their taxes.

[Johonny]

36. but it's a national dare I say world event

that WE HAVE TO PAY FOR. Once again you are the one that cried that we LA people were cheap on paying our taxes (even though we just raise our taxes). And yet once again YOU WON'T pay for it. You will only spend other peoples money for your entertainment. Big of you. Next time call some other city Tax cheapies. Because it sounds very small of you.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. Nobody forced you to host it.

If it's a national, dare you say world, event then it's likely bringing in a lot more money than it's costing.

Looks like you want to have your cake and eat it too.

[earthside]

4. Circus Show ...

... for a circus freak.

I wonder if the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Baily circus has to contract for their own security when they perform in LA?

I suspect so.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. How thoughtless of MJ to die when there's a recession/depression going on . .

.
.
.

[seabeyond]

14. that is just wrong. n/t

[zalinda]

15. How much is this tribute bringing into the city?

I am guessing that just about every hotel is booked. And all those people need transportation and food. And don't forget many will do some shopping while there. And I doubt very much if the people who traveled to LA will just turn around the next day and leave. The city just may make up the 3.5 million in taxes alone. Now, all those individual businesses are probably thanking the gods that they are getting some business.

zalinda

[Sanctified]

25. I agree 100% the city is getting the money back and businesses are getting the revenue they need. n/

[ieoeja]

40. Hotels near the Staples Center estimate a $4.0 million increase in revenue due to this. n/t

[lies and propaganda]

18. issue them a fucking IOU for it

cant feed or house our people anymore but we can play house for a bunch of nutballs who feel like they actually knew this dude enough.

[MadHound]

21. And frankly I imagine that the city is going to pull down double, if not triple that in tax revenue

C'mon, you've got a million plus people who've descended on LA for a week or more. Hotels have been booked solid, restaurants humming, tours, convenience stores, memorabilia dealers, transportation, all of this and more are doing really, really good business. Like I said, the tax revenues alone will be double, if not triple the costs to the city.

It is the Michael Jackson Stimulus Package, and LA businesses are bringing in some enormous amounts of revenue in a short amount of time. Yes, it's a pain for the locals, it means that city workers are going to be pulling overtime (ooo, overtime, more money to stimulate the local economy), but the fact of the matter is that while there may be some grousing and grumbling from some quarters, nobody in the city administration is really complaining because all they have to do is look outside their window to see the money rolling in. About the only thing that they're truly worried about is a riot, and being that this is Michael Jackson's memorial, the likelihood of that happening is small.

So to those LA people who are complaining about this, shut up and deal with it, you're getting a massive money infusion at a time when you really need it. Frankly if you don't want Jackson's memorial in your city, well, I'll take those million people and their money in mine. To those outside LA who are complaining about this, again, shut up, you're just jealous that your city isn't getting this kind of cash cow coming to town.

[moondust]

22. The general public should not have to pay for it.

This is essentially a private affair for Michael Jackson's family, friends, and fans and that is exactly who should foot the bill.

[ieoeja]

23. Los Angeles isn't making any money off of a million visitors?

And how much of that is "excess" cost, e.g. did they put extra fire and rescue specialists on duty/overtime, or just station those already on duty at the Staples Center instead of sitting around the firehouse?

[Stevenmarc]

26. They should have outsourced it and burned him on the Ganges.

[tomm2thumbs]

27. They probably see it as a long-long term investment - unfortunately we'll never be able to measure

but my best guess is that they figure to do it poorly or raise a big stink about paying for it too loudly (and have the city be the villian if it failed miserably) would be costly in potential international visitor traffic, PR, etc. They also likely figured that if Michael's 'homeland' of LA/Neverland becomes a Graceland-type attraction, the area will be getting more money over time, not that they wouldn't have anyway. Also, Staples Center probably supported it for the sheer international status of having had his last performance there and this memorial to follow it and their venue pays taxes and influences city decisions as well.

Granted, it is a lot of money, but I'm figuring they consider it becomes a win for the city coffers over time.

[Missy Vixen]

28. And this will mark me as the biggest cynic of all time

I turned to my husband shortly after the memorial started and said, "So, when's the DVD coming out?"

As Will Pitt would say, "Bank it." I give it a week.

[Stagecoach]

31. Yep

Suddenly "unseen footage" of the memorial will pop up.

[Joe Fields]

30. the Jackson estate should pay for every penny of it.

[Renew Deal]

32. This is LA. They should be budgeting for stuff like this.

It comes with running LA.

[spanone]

33. a city official already said they set aside moneys for these kind of 'special occasions'

[kestrel91316]

34. As a taxpaying citizen of Los Angeles I have to say that the family should

almost certainly be billed for at least a portion of the security for this event. It was a commercial undertaking and promotional event while also being a memorial service, so his estate will almost certainly benefit financially from its PR value.

In previous years this might not have mattered, but we are in deep financial trouble right now, and sending the taxpayers the bill is inappropriate.

[-..__...]

35. It'a like a "Black Friday" sales event...

if businesses like WalMart should be required to provide and pay for adequate security (especially if there's a reasonable expectation
of a large turnout), then why shouldn't the promoters of the Jacko extravaganza be obligated to provide and pay for the security?