Whitney Houston Funeral Costs Outrage New Jersey Taxpayers

Posted on Apr 9th 2012 11:45AM by Sarah Chazan

Patrick Demarchelier

Although Whitney Houston was laid to rest back in February (2012), the fallen icon's funeral is making headlines again today (April 9), with news that the memorial service cost the taxpayers of New Jersey a staggering sum. According to a report by CBS New York, the government of Newark spent around $187,000 in police overtime during the fallen singer's funeral. That's quite a large amount for a city known for its devastating poverty!

According to the local CBS station, nearly 200 police officers were needed to keep the peace and provide security during Houston's funeral at the New Baptist Church. Members of the force were also stationed at the funeral home and at a private family gathering later that day at the Newark Club.

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous when you have people who are unemployed and homeless, people walking up and down the streets," Newark resident Quincy Ruffin told CBS. The New Jersey resident then echoed the sentiment of many other state taxpayers when adding that Whitney's family "should have been the ones providing for" the additional security.

However, Newark Councilwoman Mildred Crump defended the city's decision to spend tax money on Houston's funeral, insisting the massive crowds that converged on the funeral were a threat to public safety. "If they [the police] had not been there, someone may have been trampled, seriously hurt," Crump insisted.

Do you think taxpayer dollars should have been spent on Whitney's funeral? Tweet us your thoughts @aolmusic.

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Filed under: Hot Off the Press

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Chaos

She prob brought in more money with people visiting....than the 100k+
http://www.sharedsorrows.com/

August 29 2012 at 5:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

wbischo

We spend money for Police Officers to do their jobs of keeping us safe in unusual and stressful situations. I would much prefer to see this money go to provide a peaceful and safe setting for the funeral of an Icon such as Whitney Houston, rather than having to use it for patroling crime ridden streets and chasing criminals and drug dealers., even though the latter is NOT A CHOICE, but a necessity. To me it is good to see the police doing something which is just ''the right thing to do". The Officers were making money, and all those people certainly put some money into the local economy.

April 12 2012 at 1:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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April 11 2012 at 9:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mark

COME ON!! ALL DRUG ADDICTS DESERVE THIS!! AT LEAST SHES GONE!!

April 11 2012 at 2:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jmopar1

at the local funeral homes---the funeral home pays the policeman to direct traffic-----not the tax payers----and its billed to the family

April 11 2012 at 1:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ann

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April 11 2012 at 11:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jjnaegele

Our federal government and many state and city governments are broke. Only a government or a drunk would have no concern about spending money it doesn't have. The money has been spent. And the taxpayers will have to pay in the long run. We need stingy spenders in government who can and will say "not so much", or "not now" or "no" every day consistently until our national mess is cleaned up. This is not about Whitney Houston; this is about living within our means and budgets.

April 11 2012 at 10:42 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

lavaleperkins

Have anyone considered the amount of revenue came into the city from the taxes of hotel rooms charges, resturants the people ate at, rental cars, air flights, etc. The funeral home had to pay taxes on their profits. Expenses may have paid from tax base but you also had a great amount of wealth that came into your city that businesses and city government profited.

April 11 2012 at 10:10 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

matterajr

Newark Councilwoman Mildred Crump, we the tax payer foot the the bill but, we the tax payer and fan could not attend the funeral!! Thank you!!

April 11 2012 at 7:24 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

Oh, Happy Day

Clembarry, Excellent Point!! New Jersey, New York, whatever. How much do all the parades cost the taxpayers? Just one more thing for people to be "outraged" about. Get over it!!

April 10 2012 at 9:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply