Port may get bill for police presence

City of Olympia to discuss fee for services during protest

By Matt Batcheldor | the olympian • Published March 09, 2007

OLYMPIA - The city of Olympia is considering charging the Port of Olympia for police services during protests of the port's military shipment last May.

The move comes as a military shipment this week through the Port of Tacoma also draws protests. Olympia's finance committee will take up the issue Monday and might recommend that the whole council take action.

"The question is: Why should a city government bear the cost of a national policy?" said Councilman TJ Johnson, finance committee chairman. "If it's the intention of the federal government, of the military, to do things that cost our community money, should we be asking for reimbursement?"

The question is part of a larger issue: Should the city charge any organization whose events require a large police presence, such as Lakefair? The city's general government committee is drafting an ordinance with some new rules that the city could vote on by June, City Councilman Joe Hyer said.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Department already has asked the port for reimbursement but hasn't recovered anything.

Nearly 40 people were arrested last May during the 10 days of protests against military shipments through the Port of Olympia. The protests turned violent on the final day, when some protesters damaged port gates and police officers fired pepper spray.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Department provided security to the port, but Olympia police were called as backup.

City Manager Steve Hall said it cost the city $9,513 in overtime payments and $4,532 worth of comp time, which is time the officers get off in return for their extra work. Twenty-nine police officers and four corrections officers spent a total of 213 hours at the event.

Charging the port is just one option for reimbursement, Johnson said. The city might also attempt to seek reimbursement from the Army.

"The options range from doing nothing to bill someone," said Johnson, an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq.

Port spokeswoman Patti Grant said the port hasn't decided whether to reimburse the city or county. She said the port is discussing the issue with the county but hasn't been contacted by the city about it.