Presidential visit costs APD nearly $500k

President Barack Obama arrives at JBER at the outset of his 3-day visit.  Marc Lester / Alaska Dispatch News  President Barack Obama arrives at JBER Monday afternoon, Aug. 31, 2015.
President Barack Obama arrives at JBER at the outset of his 3-day visit. Marc Lester / Alaska Dispatch News
President Barack Obama arrives at JBER Monday afternoon, Aug. 31, 2015.

President Barack Obama’s visit to Anchorage came with a price, at least for the Anchorage Police Department.

Chief Mark Mew tells KTUU the presidential visit has cost more than $482,000 with final tallies yet to come in.

Mew says the department had to buy new equipment, such as cement barricades to surround the Captain Cook Hotel, where the president stayed. Officers also had to undergo additional training, which included motorcade protection and riot control.

Obama last week spent two nights in Anchorage, where he met with Alaska Natives, attended a global warming conference and used the city as a base for other trips around the state.

Mew says the final tally for the department’s costs should be known next week after payroll is compiled.

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