Trump’s trip to San Diego cost taxpayers $460K
SAN DIEGO — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally and the related protests in San Diego cost local governments over $460,000, more than all other political rallies in the county combined.
The May 27 event, with hundreds of police officers as well as an occasionally contentious crowd, was unlike all others during the primary election season. It came with thousands of supporters, thousands of protestors, as well as officers who were put on duty to prevent riots similar to ones that broke out at Trump events across the country.
There were 33 arrests after clashes between supporters and protesters and police outside the event at the San Diego Convention Center.
As they have with past similar events, the city and county do not plan to seek reimbursement for the outdoor security and will absorb the cost. Just over $28,000 expenses for direct security inside the convention center was paid to the city by the convention center operating agency. Barbara Moreno, the executive director for communications at the convention center, said the cost was determined by speaking with the police department’s special events team, calculating how much security would be needed, and then a price to charge the campaign for that service.
Read more: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/22/trumps-trip-to-san-diego-cost-taxpayers-460/
