Houston's funeral cost angers Newark taxpayers

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Posted April 9, 2012

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In this April 25, 2010 file photo, Whitney Houston performs in London. (Credit: By Joel Ryan, AP)

Some taxpayers are outraged to know that Whitney Houston's funeral left the city of Newark with a big bill.

CBS 2's Christine Sloan reports that the funeral, which drew so many fans that it cost more than $187,000 in police overtime, which adds up to nearly 5% of the $4 million budget for the year.

Nearly 200 police officers were stationed at the New Baptist Church, the funeral home and a family gathering at the Newark Club, reports CBS. One city official said that the overtime cost was necessary because of public safety.

"I was able to be witness to the thousands upon thousands of people who were desperate to attend service but held back by barriers and officers of the law," said Democratic Councilwoman Mildred Crump.

Some locals tell CBS that the family should be footing the bill. And others say that it's even more outrageous for them to pay given that the public wasn't allowed anywhere near the star-studded event.