Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Even though the massive crowd that invaded Massachusetts Street was wild with excitement during the NCAA basketball celebrations, the majority of people were well-behaved, causing limited damage.
However, the celebrations from the last three NCAA basketball tournament victories and the championship parade cost the city of Lawrence a total of $53,661.96. The city’s 2007 operating budget was $137 million.
As fans celebrated at the intersection of tenth and Mass, several people began climbing street lamps and trees in the area. This man climbed nearly to the top of the pole, but was discouraged when people began shooting fireworks and throwing ice cubes at him.
The city spent $14,281.84 on fire and medical, $6,400 on parks and recreation, $29,052 on police and $3,928.12 on public works.
According to a city press release, the numbers don’t reflect regular city employee wages, but include overtime. The press release also stated the city would reimburse the departments by using its guest tax reserve fund for the unbudgeted expenses.
The city also received outside assistance, according to the press release.
Eve Tolefree, public information officer for the Lawrence Fire and Medical Department, said 29 extra firefighters and medical officers worked each of the four celebration nights.
Tolefree said few fans were transported to the hospital and no alcohol related injuries were reported.
Mark Hecker, parks superintendent, said his department spent $3,000 replacing shrubs, flowers and two trees that were destroyed in the chaos. The other $3,400 replaced six decorative trash cans that were destroyed.
Hecker said even though the city had to replace landscaping, the damage was minimal.
“The crowds behaved well for that number of people, especially during the parade,” Hecker said.
Charles Soules, director of public works, said its chunk of the spending financed overtime for city employees to set up barricades and clean up after each of the four celebrations.
Sergeant Paul Fellers of the Lawrence Police Department said the majority of his department’s expenditures went towards paying for the overtime of the extra police officers.
“Overall, I think everyone was well-behaved and represented the city and the University in a positive light,” Fellers said.
— Edited by Mandy Earles
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