Occupy protest could cost city $100k

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) -- The cost of the Occupy New Haven camp is skyrocketing and taxpayers will have to pick up the bill. The city tells News 8 that between the damage to the lawn and the police overtime the camp is getting expensive.

When all is said and done, it will cost the city over $100,000 by having the Occupy protestors on the Green.

It's a big bill that has many bothered.

"So they can live for free," questioned Drew Campbell. "I'm paying rent, so. I live in New Haven. I don't like paying for people to live on the Green."

"I think they should invest it in something that will be useful for the whole community," said Muria Valentin.

The City Parks Department is now estimating a $25,000 clean-up once the occupiers pack up.

"We need to test the soil and make sure no fuels were spilled there," said Rob Smuts, New Haven's Chief Admin. Officer. "We need to really aerate it because it's almost like cement now, we have to make sure it didn't damage the trees."

"I think they should repair it themselves," said Campbell.

The city says occupiers did in fact offer.

"They talked about putting down grass seed, but that's not what clean-up will entail," Smuts said. "You can't plant grass seed on what's essentially concrete."

Tuesday, controlling the scene cost over $2,300. Police were there when the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York gave demonstrators permission to stay longer.

Over the last few months, it has cost about $65,000 in police overtime and $2,000 per month for trash clean-up.

"When a parade happens in New Haven it costs tax payers roughly that amount," Smuts said. "St. Patrick's Day Parade, when you count police, clean-up costs, that runs 70 to 80,000, and these are costs that we have to bear."

Wednesday, there was a sign that occupiers could leave on the 15th.

The New Haven Independent reports one of the eight plaintiffs in Occupy New Haven's suit against the city says in part, "...six months is longer than any Occupy made it and that's a victory."

Either way, some say this protest has been money well spent.

"I think they have every right to be there," said Cora Collins.

There is no word on whether they will in fact leave on their six month anniversary, the 15th.

The city says they hope it's sooner rather than later so there's no permanent damage to the Green.