VP: Dick's Sydney visit diverts police, costs up to $2 million

[Swagman]

Cheney safe but Sydney unprotected
EXCLUSIVE by Joe Hildebrand
February 23, 2007 01:00am

MORE than 1200 police are being pulled off the streets to protect visiting US Vice-President Dick Cheney, causing shortages at almost every Sydney police station and costing taxpayers up to $2 million.

Even before his arrival aboard Air Force 2 at 10.50pm (AEDT) last night, motorists learned of his presence with delayed journeys home.

Southern Cross Drive, South Dowling St and the Eastern Distributor, between Woolloomooloo and Moore Park, were shut down in both directions as a motorcade took Mr Cheney into the city.

Earlier 10 people were arrested in violent clashes between police and protesters outside Sydney's Town Hall.

The protest, organised by St Clair-based Stop the War Coalition, turned into a confrontation when about 200 protesters attempted to break a police line and march on the US Consulate in Martin Place. After the scuffle and arrests, police negotiated with organisers to allow the group to keep to the footpath to prevent traffic chaos in the evening peak.
About 1000 rank-and-file officers are off normal duties across the metropolitan area and a further 230 will be drawn from country stations for Mr Cheney's visit. That number does not include special forces officers from the counter-terrorism unit and state protection group.

Nor does it include Mr Cheney's contingent of armed bodyguards who, controversially, were allowed into the country with firearms.
The massive security detail dwarfs the 450 police rostered for the Harbour Bridge's 75th anniversary next month or the 250 used for Mardi Gras.
It is understood the visit will cost NSW taxpayers between $1.6 million and $2 million in police costs alone.



http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21272818-2,00.html

[ck4829]

1. I wonder what the "Pelosi Air" people are going to say now.

[jaxx]

2. Why's he there, do you know?

[gratuitous]

3. To notify Howard in person of the commencement of Iran hostilities

I hope the good people of Australia aren't going to be looking to the U.S. to reimburse them for the millions that Crash Cart's little visit cost them.

[bigworld]

4. Woolloomooloo

Just, wow. Great town name.