Occupiers Howard Hayes and Heidi Davis (left to right) talk amongst Occupy Chattanooga's tents just after sunset near the Hamilton County Courthouse on Thursday. The group holds general assemblies most nights at 7 p.m. to discuss the day's events and address any issues that might have occurred during the day.A survey by The Associated Press shows the Occupy movement has cost local taxpayers nationwide at least $13 million since the protests began.
The data was collected from government agencies in 18 cities with active protests. The numbers reflect costs incurred through Nov. 15, the day protesters were evicted from the New York City encampment.
The heaviest financial burden has fallen upon law enforcement agencies tasked with monitoring marches and evicting protesters from outdoor camps. The steepest costs were in New York and Oakland, Calif., where police clashed with protesters on several occasions.
The costs in each city are more or less in line with the price of policing major public events and emergencies. But the price of the protests is rising by the day.