Taxpayer Transparency Act aimed at getting clear picture of how much it cost police to do crowd control

FRESNO, Calif. -- Councilmember Esmerelda Soria said she wanted to know how much it cost police to do crowd control at events like the Republican Party fundraiser for Sheriff Joe Arpaio scheduled to take place in Fresno.

"I think the biggest distinction here is that we have an organization that is making a lot of money out of this and the taxpayer will have to foot the bill," said Soria.

Soria says this money making event is different than civil rights or political protests. City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld asked Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer about the need for such an ordinance.

"Is this act necessary, couldn't council member Soria ask you, Chief Dyer, there was an event last night, or there's going to be an event tomorrow night...how much will it cost, can you give me a memo that says how much it is," said

Easy to do, if you want to know, and it is not any type of hidden cost.

Chief Dyer says those costs, figuring overtime and planning are readily available after any event. Soria said let us make them easy to get.

"If it's not a problem then let's just make the commitment right now that we are gonna post it, or make it available, rather than me having to ask every other Thursday," said Soria.

However, none of the other council members agreed. But she made it clear she will be asking. Chief Dyer says the cost of the Arpaio event will be known as soon as it is over.

"We do not know how many protestors are going to show, up we do know how many officers we are going to assign, at least at minimum 75 to 80 officers to that event," said Dyer.

His best guess right now, about $15,000, depending on crowd size, and behavior.