Occupy MN cost for Mpls police approaches $100,000

4:52 PM, Oct 18, 2011   |    comments
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MINNEAPOLIS - The cost of Occupy Minnesota protests is starting to add up for Minneapolis police. Tuesday afternoon, Sgt. William Palmer says the total cost to the Minneapolis Police Department is closing in $100,000.

Palmer says the city has had to pay $43,500 for approximately 726 hours of overtime. "While the MPD has worked proactively to reduce overtime this year, these hours were unavoidable," said a statement from Minneapolis police.

Additionally, Minneapolis police say approximately 1,245 hours have been spent in the planning and support of the protest prior to the overtime. The cost for this time is approximately $56,000, according to numbers released by Minneapolis Police Department.

"The Minneapolis Police Department is pleased with the successful dialogue that has existed with the Occupy MN movement throughout the planning process and each event," the statement said.

These costs are only for the Minneapolis Police Department.

Hennepin County officials said Tuesday their costs for supervision and management is $152,295.

(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)