Spears' Latest Trip To Hospital Cost LAPD $25,000

LOS ANGELES --

The Los Angeles Police Department incurred about $25,000 in expenses this week in escorting Britney Spears from her Studio City home to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood to be hospitalized on a psychiatric hold, it was reported Friday.

Video: Spears Transported | Images

LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Times that it was "a shame" that escorting the pop star diverted scarce police resources from "public safety needs such as violent crime, drunken driving or responding to the ongoing stream of 911 calls." But he said the department "had no choice but to ensure that we appropriately dealt with this incident."

The effort, which the LAPD estimates cost $25,000, was carried out with the help of the department's Crisis Response Support Section, a unit that deals specifically with the mentally ill, The Times reported.

Several LAPD squad cars and motorcycles followed the Los Angeles Fire Department ambulance that took Spears to UCLA Medical Center at about 1 a.m. Thursday.

The LAPD said in a statement later on Thursday that it used "a number of resources" in escorting the ambulance because of "previous, overly aggressive actions of some members of the media, and in particular members of the paparazzi."

Previous Stories:

• February 1, 2008: LA Could Impose Restrictions On Paparazzi
• January 31, 2008: Spears Taken From Home In Ambulance Again
• January 31, 2008: Spears Taken From Home In Ambulance Again
• January 22, 2008: Britney Spears Shows Up For Custody Battle Deposition
• January 17, 2008: Spears-Chasing Paparazzi Quartet Arrested
• January 17, 2008: Paparazzi Arrested After Chasing Britney Spears' Mercedes
• January 15, 2008: Spears Spotted Around Town After Dash From Court
• January 14, 2008: Order Suspending Spears' Visitation Rights To Remain In Effect
• January 5, 2008: TV Psychologist Now Involved In Spears Saga
• January 4, 2008: Caught On Tape: Ambulance Transports Spears From Home
• January 3, 2008: Police Pay Visit To Spears' Residence Over Custody Dispute
• December 19, 2007: Britney Spears' Teen Sister Is Pregnant
• December 5, 2007: Spears Among Top Yahoo Search Topics For 2007
• November 13, 2007: Paparazzo Hurt In Crash With Another Photog Chasing Spears
• October 25, 2007: Britney Spears Pays For Hit-And-Run Damages, Avoids Charges
• October 18, 2007: Court: Spears Must Comply With Orders Before Visiting Children
• October 12, 2007: Britney Spears Awarded Weekly Overnight Visit
• October 3, 2007: Attorney: Custody Order Stands, Spears Gets Visitation
• October 2, 2007: Spears, Federline Due Back In Court Wednesday
• October 1, 2007: Judge Orders Spears To Hand Over Custody Of Children
• September 24, 2007: Britney Spears Charged With Hit-And-Run, Driving Without License
• September 18, 2007: Court Directs Britney Spears To Meet With Parenting Coach
• September 17, 2007: Spears' Lawyers Decline To Question Ex-Bodyguard At Hearing
• May 2, 2007: Fans Disappointed In Spears' San Diego Performance
• February 23, 2007: Britney Spears' Father: She's 'A Sick Little Girl'