Trump rallies leave cities with big security bills: report

Rallies for Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump are costing some cities a large amount to secure and manage, The Wall Street Journal reported.

During March, 15 of Trump’s campaign events cost local authorities more than $300,000, averaging about $20,000 per event, according to a survey of local police departments and campaign venues.

{mosads}The event sites are reportedly sending bills to the campaign for reimbursement, though communities aren’t normally repaid by presidential campaigns for hosting events.

The survey by the Journal investigated events in Florida, Maine, Illinois and Ohio.

It found that during Trump’s rally in Tucson, Ariz., the security bill totaled $81,838 for 180 officers to work 1,171 hours.

Many of Trump’s rallies have drawn large protests, including his rally last week in California. An event he was supposed to have in Chicago earlier this year was canceled after massive protests erupted.

There were also protests at his rallies in Hickory, N.C., and Janesville and Appleton, Wis.

“We had more officers assigned because we knew we were going to have a protest group,” said Chief Todd Thomas, of the Appleton police department.

The department spent $11,830 policing the event.

The survey also found that Trump’s rallies cost cities more than those of other candidates.

A Trump rally in Janesville cost the city’s police department $50,000 to staff, but rallies held by Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Bernie Sanders only cost about $5,000 each.

“There just wasn’t the same issue we needed to deal with the others versus Trump,” said Deputy Chief John Olsen.