Occupy Raleigh and the Numbers Game

So I’ve been posting more to the Soapbox lately and honestly it is because my city is under siege by an occupying force of 12 or so people. I say that sarcastically but driving by them on a regular basis has made me wonder. There is a constant presence from the Raleigh Police Department at this “event.” Something that I decided to do a little looking around on the web about -

Call it a pricey camping trip funded by local taxpayers: The city of Raleigh spent more than $40,000 through Tuesday to police anti-Wall Street demonstrators bivouacked in downtown. [...]

In Raleigh, city government spent $26,300 for additional police protection during a kickoff rally the weekend of Oct. 15, according to estimates from the Raleigh Police Department. Since then, the additional tab for policing protesters lined up on the sidewalk near the Capitol grounds has been $1,500 per day. [SOURCE]

By my math (assuming that number is correct) that is enough to hire an entry-level police officer and have a little money left over for a department pizza party. I don’t think the Occupy Raleigh folks are seeing the big picture on this one – or if they do they should do what other events do downtown – pay for the overtime of the police officer needed to monitor/protect/babysit your event. It isn’t that I don’t think you have some relevant points (some of you – not this guy) but no one is going to take you seriously until this stops.

This group keeps talking about the 99% but fail to mention the 53% (those of us that pay taxes) – here is a website with the 53% speaking out. You know – those of us that are paying for your camping trip right now. Again – not that some of what you are asking for – especially at the highest levels isn’t right – just that asking the rest of us to finance you asking for it is a bit much.

Maybe you should organize your thoughts, refine your approach and do something that doesn’t punish the 53% of us that are paying taxes. Or participate in the great equalizer and encourage people to vote (only 40.9% do nationally and only 39.3% do in North Carolina [SOURCE]). Either way – not to sound old but how about getting off my lawn? At least until you can afford the bill.

UPDATE: According to Twitter and #occupyraleigh the group has been asked to leave by the Capitol Police (not RPD).  [DOA Release] [IndyWeek]