Heightened Security At Whitney Houston Gravesite

With security tight a steady stream of Whitney Houston fans descended on the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield but many were turned away. One person turned away at the gate pleaded, saying they had driven "all the way from Wayne," only to be told by an officer "people have come from a lot farther away, but it's closed to the public."

Some disappointed fans understood the need for security; one woman told PIX 11 "I'm okay with it. If they need to space it out. I'm OK with it."

It is a delicate balancing act, as fans and gawkers must co-exist with families who have loved ones buried at Fairview and the Houston family some of whom were upset by the large crowds on Monday. The majority of those families were extremely gracious and thankful for the security.


"If someone wants to pay their genuine respects that's fine. But I also think they should remember her music. She was an angel. She had an angelic voice," said Kathy Barton who, with her husband, came to visit the graves of family members. Siobhan O'Connor said "Everyone loves Whitney. I just hope they don't make it difficult for everybody."

On Tuesday afternoon one gate to the cemetery was closed while the other was guarded by two Westfield police officers. Anyone who wanted to enter had to tell them what grave they came to visit and it's location. They asked most cars trying to turn into the cemetery "Are you here for Whitney?" and turned away those who said 'yes'. That was a much different scene than Monday when cars of fans and gawkers carrying flowers and mementos jammed the narrow roadways inside and outside the cemetery prompting the cemetery's closure to the public.

Those fans may soon be able to own a copy of the funeral now that the family has reportedly sold the rights to the footage in an effort to get as much money as possible for daughter Bobby Kristina. But tonight the family has more concerns about the well being of the 18-year-old.

Radar online is reporting that she was quote "wasted" at the burial on Sunday, and is hanging out with a bad crowd.

And there's this from TMZ.....Just five days before her death cellphone video of Whitney Houston rocking it with Madonna during her Super Bowl Half-time show at a bar at the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel. But the website reports she didn't have any drinks. Back at the cemetery Lucia Congiusta told PIX 11 she came to visit her brother who died three years ago. "My first thoughts are with my brother and I knew I would also be able to take advantage and drive by her grave." Asked if she was bothered by all of the others, she said "Not at all."

Many expect the cemetery to remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future.