Price Tag Balloons For Occupy Charlotte
Seems some other local media have clued into the fact that Occupy Charlotte comes with a bill. One that’s growing bigger by the day.
When we first reported last week on the cost, the tally stood at $92,224 for services related to policing the Occupy movement since it started on Oct. 1. The price tag has now grown to $105,000 and counting, reports the uptown paper and WSOC-TV, while News 14 pegs the cost at more than $150,000 (although I suspect a typo there that flipped some numbers).
Elected officials are also starting to notice the potential ramifications, with county commissioners talking about beefing up park regulations to prevent prolonged occupation of county-owned land and city leaders considering an ordinance that would prohibit camping on all city property.
“At some point we just have to say y’all this is enough,” said Councilman Andy Dulin. After learning of the cost of the patrols, he said it was time for the city to act.
He wants leaders to hold a special session before the election next week to talk about an ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property owned by the city.
“The taxpayers of Charlotte cannot afford, and it’s not our responsibility to have 24-7 police protection down there,” Dulin said.
So at what point – $105K? $200K? $400K? $1MM? – should a price tag be slapped on the freedom of speech and public assembly? Should the Charlotte occupiers, and others around the country, be required to foot the bill for their extended encampment?
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