Face The State Staff Report
More than two weeks after President-elect Barack Obama's speech drew an estimated 100,000 people to Denver's Civic Center Park, the Denver Police Department remains unsure as to the total bill for the city's taxpayers.
The event, which took place Oct. 26, was staffed by on-duty police officers, but also required additional officers who were compensated with overtime wages. According to DPD spokesman Sonny Jackson, the department will not divulge how many officers worked the event due to security concerns.
Media estimates concluded that 100,000 supporters attended the event, with masses of people spilling on to Broadway and the west steps of the Capitol. The Obama campaign paid for security barriers, standard event fees and damage deposits, but the city was responsible for police overtime costs.
During the week following the event, Jackson told Face The State that overtime wages for the rally had not yet been calculated and to check back in a week. As of Friday, Jackson referred FTS to a DPD records coordinator who said that the overtime for that specific event still has not been calculated. The records coordinator said most of the security for the event was provided by on-duty officers, and that while the department keeps track of overtime, it is not always separated out by event. She asked Face The State to follow up with her Wednesday for more information.
Check back later this week for the city's response.