Authorities have safety concerns over apparent plans for a memorial for Michael Jackson at the Neverland Ranch, saying that the narrow hillside road could be overtaxed by thousands of vehicles.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Lt. Butch Arnoldi said two-lane Figueroa Mountain Road is not designed for a crush of cars and that his department is discussing how to make the route to Neverland as safe as possible.

There have been reports that the Jackson family would like to have some sort of ceremony for Jackson at the ranch, located north of Santa Barbara in Los Olivos, perhaps after a public ceremony at Staples Center. Although the plans remain unclear, sheriff's officials have been planning for such a contingency for a few days.

 “We have not been approached by any family members of the Jackson family about an event that’s to occur in our county,” Arnoldi said. “We don’t what to be caught behind the eight-ball here.”

News vans and media vehicles have started to line up along the road outside Neverland Ranch. Notes, balloons and flowers for Jackson have also been left at the gate.

On a piece of cardboard, someone wrote “Thank you for being such a ‘Thriller.’ ”

On a lined piece of white paper, a fan wrote “ Michael, you will never be forgotten! We love you! You are an idol and will always be the king of pop!”

The gates have opened for some vehicles, including a fire vehicle. Only a few fans waited outside the ranch. Many people drove up, took pictures and left.

--Ruben Vives, and Ari B. Bloomekatz in Los Olivos, Calif.

Veteran KTLA News reporter Stan Chambers has been covering the Southern California scene for more than 50 years. L.A. Now is showcasing some of his feature reporting with the regular "Stan Chambers at Large" posting. Chambers is eager to get reader feedback and story suggestions. Offer comments to Chambers here or e-mail him at schambers@tribune.com. In this installment, Chambers goes to the Griffith Observatory to mark a major astronomical anniversary.

Nadya Suleman told TV host Dr. Phil McGraw on Tuesday that she fears Kaiser Permanente Medical Center may not release her octuplets to her until she proves she can care for them.

In an interview with The Times, McGraw said Suleman called him Tuesday afternoon, distressed after talking to Kaiser officials. Suleman taped two episodes of McGraw’s show, the first of which is scheduled to run Wednesday.

“What she is telling me is that unless and until she has a better living arrangement, that they are not likely to release the children to her,” McGraw said.