Newark residents loved their hometown girl Whitney Houston, but they aren’t happy they have to foot the bill for her funeral.
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Houston’s funeral cost the city of Newark $187,000 in police overtime, representing 5 percent of the $4 million budget for the year. Now some taxpayers say as much as they loved the pop star, they’re not happy about footing the high security costs.
Houston’s family brought her back to Newark, where thousands of people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the hearse carrying her body. Fans even tried to get close to the church where her private funeral was held.
But Newark resident Quincy Ruffin said:
“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous when you have people who are unemployed and homeless, people walking up and down the streets.”
Ruffin said Houston’s family should have paid for the officers.
Others said what makes them more angry is the public wasn’t allowed anywhere near the funeral that attracted big stars.
Nearly 200 police officers were stationed at the New Baptist Church, the funeral home and a family gathering at the Newark Club afterwards.
What do you think about the Newark community’s objections? Is it fair for them to pay for the additional security?
