Whitney Houston's funeral costs Newark $187K
Taxpayers in Newark, New Jersey are furious following a report that Whitney Houston's funeral cost the city US$187,000 in police overtime, which amounts to five percent of the police department's $4 million budget.
"I think it's absolutely ridiculous when you have people who are unemployed and homeless, people walking up and down the streets," Newark resident Quincy Ruffin told a local affiliate of CBS News. “If [her family] wanted it to go that far, do that much, they should have been the ones providing for it."
Police were required to keep fans away from the private service at the New Baptist Church, the cemetery and a family gathering at the Newark Club. Meanwhile, thousands of residents lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the hearse carrying the late pop diva's casket.
City officials defended the costs on the grounds of public safety. "I was able to be witness to the thousands upon thousands of people who were desperate to attend the service but held back by barriers and officers of the law," Democratic Councilwoman Mildred Crump told CBS. "If they had not been there someone may have been trampled, seriously hurt."
Houston drowned in a bathtub in California's Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11. A coroner's report stated the cause of death was accidental drowning due to the effects of cocaine and heart disease.
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Kevin Ritchie
Posted by: Lindsay | Apr 10, 2012 12:28:11 PM
The city has the right to go after the family for the cost of the security. The family should step up and re-emburse the city for their choices. But the truth is that the rich, and notorious always have someone else foot the bill that how they got rich and became notorious.
So, it appears that the homeless and the poor paid for the funeral security and not the family.
What a legacy, a once famous singer, a notorious junkie dies by her own hand and the most vulnerable of society foot the bill. I say by her own hand because she took the cocaine that lead to her death. Just another dead junkie really.
Posted by: Brian Cooper | Apr 10, 2012 1:18:32 PM
I have to admit that I am teetering on the fence here and inclined to think that it would have been fair for the family to have at least paid a portion of the cost.
The truth is that thousands of fans would have been too much for anybody other than PROFESSIONALS to keep under control. I think it would have been totally unfair to ask anybody to volunteer or even get paid minimum wage under the stressful happenings that day and what could have turned ugly.
The city can be held responsible for at least some of the costs because chaos could have very easily followed the funeral and even lead to mob riots and crime. Emotions were running high that day and could have easily reached a dangerous stage.
The citizens should not have to pay the entire bill because it was overtime as stated and one funeral really messed up the budget. Yes Whitney was a huge celebrity but where do you draw the line on security and who pays.
Posted by: ron | Apr 10, 2012 2:52:03 PM
Are you kidding me. It wasn't the family the police had to control it was the general population (public). So the public pays. Also there were probably hundreds of fans that came to that city that day for the funeral and by the time they left they probably spent 3 times that amount in rooms, meals, etc.
Posted by: Lisa | Apr 10, 2012 3:54:44 PM
I have to agree with Ron. How many of the tax payers that are now outraged lined the streets? If they had let the family be, the need for security would not exist. And as Ron stated. Those who came from out of town most definately boosted Newarks economy. Prob the most visitors they have had in years! Not the nicest town to begin with!
Posted by: MF | Apr 10, 2012 3:57:46 PM
Cheers to Ron. That is the straight truth.
A contribution would be a nice gesture by the family, though I don't find it a MUST.
Posted by: Commenter | Apr 10, 2012 8:16:22 PM
I'm confused as to how the poor and homeless etc... are going to be paying for the security costs. They DON'T PAY TAXES!
Posted by: no way | Apr 10, 2012 8:56:47 PM
no way the family should pay the city when are we going to stop kissing drug users she die the way she lived once a great singer not anymore makes me sick she killed her self her family should pay all cost
Posted by: me | Apr 10, 2012 8:58:29 PM
let her estate pay for it
Posted by: jamie young | Apr 10, 2012 10:38:33 PM
the family should pay for the entire thing,people sleeping in the streets no jobs and we pay for that omg what next
Posted by: UguysMakeMeSick | Apr 11, 2012 12:10:55 AM
You guys are crazy. Its not her fault she had a fan base. If there was a summit, or a protest, would the protesters cover the costs of the police? I agree with Ron, the city probably made more than that with visitors from outside cities, and plus the stars with hotels, food, etc... And when you wanna bring up the homeless, commenter is right, HOMELESS PAY NO TAXES, they take away more than that. The family shouldn't be liable for NOTHING. R.I.P Whitney. God rest your soul, and help these sick Idiots who feel your family should pay for this. How much you think the city spends on homeless people going to jail and taking care of them Everyday, or Immigrants who come to this country(not knocking immigrants, just a point). When the stars are alive for film festivals, and charitiable events, they Don't mind making millions for that. Use your heads you senseless people..