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Occupy Protests Costing Minneapolis PD Thousands

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's been about two weeks since the "Occupy Minnesota" protests started, and the costs are starting to add up for the Minneapolis Police Department to help keep them safe and peaceful.

Police officials said Tuesday that over the last 12 days of protests at and around the Hennepin County Government Center, the police department has incurred about 726 hours of overtime that has no outside source for reimbursement. The cost of that overtime comes out to $43,500. That time is being put towards monitoring several marches that have taken place and responding to calls at businesses as a result of the "Occupy Minnesota" protests.

The police department has also taken personnel from its first precinct, special operations division and strategic information center away from their daily duties to focus on protest duties.

Officials said about 1,245 hours of police time has been used in the planning and support of the protests prior to their incurring overtime. Including fringe costs, those hours come out to about $56,000.

So far, officials said no Minneapolis Police officers have made any arrests.

"Occupy Minnesota" protestors insist they will keep at their efforts until they see significant changes made in the U.S. economy, which is struggling with a 9.1 percent unemployment rate.

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