The Seattle PI is reporting today that Tacoma PD is asking that the port of Tacoma and the Military pick up some of the $500,000 bill for the extra security at the port of Tacoma during the anti-war protest of the deploying Stryker Brigade.
Anti-war protests cost Tacoma $500,000
TACOMA -- Tacoma police say last month's 12-day anti-war protests cost the city an unbudgeted $500,000 to provide a large-scale law enforcement presence.
The rough estimate covers overtime, regular compensation, equipment and food for hundreds of workers from Tacoma police and other agencies, Assistant Chief Bob Sheehan said.
The city plans to ask the Port of Tacoma and the military to cover some of the costs.
"That's a tremendous hit on our budget -- a half-million dollars of unexpected expense," said Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, adding that the military would get the first invoice.
"I think our request is justifiable," Baarsma said. "I would expect that we would be reimbursed. I would be surprised if we weren't."
Police increased law enforcement at the Port of Tacoma during the convoying and storage of Army Stryker vehicles from March 3 until a ship carrying the military equipment left for Iraq on March 14.
Protesters were there each night.
I have a better idea, why doesn't the Tacoma PD send the whole bill to the protesters. After all if the protesters had not been there the Tacoma PD would not have had to have been there too.
Posted by TrueSoldier at April 03, 2007 11:42 AM | Email ThisAnd doesn't Tacoma have insurance for such contingencies? Assuming that the Protesters cannot be identified, and many easily can be, there should be "Uninsured Motorist" like policies for the City to allow it to cover expenses where fault cannot be assigned.
Posted by: Jeff B. on April 7, 2007 11:12 PM