Occupy Austin protesters have cost the city almost half a million dollars

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and a protester. Acevedo's officers have profited handsomely from Occupy Austin, raking in some $240,000 in overtime.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – It could be argued that the Occupy Austin protesters at City Hall are perpetrating an economic injustice against the city’s taxpayers.

Occupy Austin has been inhabiting City Hall Plaza for two-months and at today’s Austin Public Safety Commission meeting came stunning news: The Austin Police Department has spent $412,000 policing the Occupy Austin protest since it began on October 6 through November 19. That figure is almost certainly higher today. The Commission admitted that the city could be on the hook for over $1 million before too long.

The $412,000 includes both police overtime and straight time.

It’s going to be a good Christmas for many police officers working the Occupy detail. You can bet there are a lot of officers who see the protest as a gold mine in overtime.

Some of the self-anointed 99% camping out at City Hall. Photo: Creative Commons

And to make matters worse, many of the protesters camping at City Hall Plaza have been replaced by homeless people who are attracted to all the free food and handouts. Under normal conditions, police wouldn’t allow a bum or a hobo to take a nap on City Hall Plaza, much less set up camp.

The problem is, it’s hard to tell the homeless from some of the protesters and the homeless use that to their advantage.

What are they protesting for again? The face of Occupy Austin has changed since it began on October 6.

Originally, Occupy Austin said it would protest until December 6. Well, now it’s December 6 and the protesters say they aren’t leaving. The city has announced that they have no plans to evict the Occu-squatters.

Protester Natalie Atwater told the Statesman, “We have a plan to stay here as long as it takes to make the world change. We’re not just here for fun. This is serious business.”

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