Whitney Houston Funeral Costs Outrage Newark Taxpayers

Apr. 7 2012, Published 11:19 a.m. ET
They lined the streets to pay their respects to a pop diva. Now Newark, New Jersey residents are outraged that $187,000 of their money will be used to pay for policing Whitney Houston’s funeral.
Nearly 200 cops were on hand to keep the crowds away from the singer’s glitzy ceremony on February 18. While celebrities like Kevin Costner and Alicia Keyes paid respect to the singer in New Hope Baptist Church, thousands of residents grieved in the cold outside.
Now CBS reports the city will foot the overtime bill for the cops that stood outside the church, the funeral home and the reception after the service.
One Newark resident, Quincy Ruffin, told CBS that the star’s family should pay. Another resident Minerva DelValle said: “I think it was a waste of time and then now we find out what happened and how she actually died, it makes you think twice saying: ‘Was it worth it or not?’”
- ‘Exposing Christine’: Kevin Costner Privately ‘Doing Cartwheels’ After Shutting Down ‘Gold Digger’ Ex's Child Support Demands in $400 Million Divorce War
- Kevin Costner Fighting Ex Christine's Demand for $885k in Divorce, Reveals Plot To Hit Her With Massive Legal Bill After War Ends
- Kevin Costner ‘Doesn’t Hate’ His Ex Christine Despite Bitter $400 Million Divorce War, Actor ‘Trying Not to Make It Personal’: Sources
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, cocaine was found in Whitney’s system and in the hotel bathroom where she died.
Newark Councilwoman Mildred Crump believes the police overtime was justified. She said: “If they had not been there someone may have been trampled, seriously hurt.”
RELATED STORIES:
Whitney Houston's Shocking Autopsy Report, All The Disturbing Details
Whitney Houston's Death Report Released: Found Facedown In Bathtub, Drugs In The Room