Oct. 25--If there's anyone cleaning up on Wall Street these days, it's the NYPD.
Cop overtime costs have soared to at least $3.4 million in response to the ongoing Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that began last month, city officials said, and findings released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Independent Budget Office show New York's Finest have been earning even more for working extra hours.
In fiscal year 2011, which ended in June, police overtime hit $549.5 million -- surging from $412 million in 2006, the IBO said, adding that some of that growth also includes wage increases.
"It's likely that we'll see substantial overtime costs for Occupy Wall Street and other goings-on around town for some time," the IBO warned.
While events requiring police overtime don't typically last as long as the Occupy Wall Street movement, they all add up.
Even welcomed events, such as a Yankees-Red Sox game, have resulted in significant NYPD costs, IBO data show.
-- -- --
Occupy Wall Street
$3.4 million
The first 30 days of the movement, which started Sept. 17, has turned into the most costly event in the city in recent years.
President Barack Obama
$2.4 million
Obama was in the city seven times last fiscal year, including for campaign events and to visit the World Trade Center after Osama bin Laden was killed in May.
NYC Marathon
$2.3 million (2010)
The one-day annual event involved more than 45,000 athletes last year racing through all five boroughs.
December snowstorm
$1.6 million
The post-Christmas blizzard last year crippled the city for days, with cops responding to stranded commuters and ensuring safe conditions.
Yankees vs. Red Sox
$410,948 (Aug./Sept. 2010)
The Yanks' success has also lead to overtime for cops. Last year, the team's rivalry with Boston -- seven games in August and September -- required extra police presence at Yankee Stadium.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
$192,763 (2010)
About 3 million people line the streets to watch the holiday tradition, setting up camp from the early morning to about noon.
Source: Independent Budget Office
Vote
Which event is the best use of NYPD overtime?
Occupy Wall Street Obama's NYC visits NYC Marathon Thanksgiving Day Parade All of the above
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