City, protesters say Occupy Coachella Valley expenditure too high
“Occupy” protesters including Kevin Lyle, 20, of Palm Springs, who holds a sign reading: “We don't need a permit. We have the 1st Amendment” link arms and sit across two parking spaces within the Palm Desert Civic Center Park past the park's 11 p.m. nightly closure in anticipation of a visit by Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputies on Oct. 30. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun
PALM DESERT — This year's “Occupy” movement protests cost the city $88,786 in overtime for police, code enforcement and public works personnel plus legal costs, according to figures released by Palm Desert officials.
The Occupy movement, protesting income inequality and related issues by camping on public property, began on Wall Street in September and spread nationwide.
City Councilwoman Cindy Finerty and Occupy Coachella Valley organizer Jayel Aheram agree on one thing: $88,786 is too much.
“Let's just say in today's economy it's unfortunate $88,000 had to be spent to enforce our ordinance with the Occupiers,” Finerty said. “The $88,000 could have been spent on something that would have made a difference.”
Aheram, who was arrested Nov.1 for unlawful assembly and violating city laws against camping in Palm Desert Civic Center Park, responded to the figure with a similar tone, though he places responsibility on a different party.
“They could have given that money to charity rather than to harass us,” he said. “That's awful, it's awful,”
City Manager John Wohlmuth said that about 73 percent, or $64,814, of the $88,786 covered overtime costs for police in October and November when the protesters camped in Civic Center Park and marched down El Paseo.
“I would say it's pretty consistent with a large special event, it just wouldn't go all to police,” he said of the overall cost. Preplanned events require more staff time from other city departments, he said.
He said city staff is discussing the possibility of having those arrested foot some of the bill as part of their punishment if convicted, “but that's really part of the legal process.”
A November Associated Press survey of 18 cities across the country that monitored Occupy protests — not including Palm Desert — reported a combined cost of $13 million.
Occupy Coachella Valley started at College of the Desert and surfaced in mid-October.
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