Whitney Houston’s Funeral Costs Anger New Jersey Residents

Whitney Houston‘s February 18 funeral was an emotional event — and an extremely expensive one. Houston’s “home going service” cost the city of Newark, New Jersey approximately $187,000 in costs for police overtime. Nearly 200 officers were stationed at New Baptist Church and the surrounding blocks, keeping barriers between Houston’s family and her fans, and New Jersey’s residents are the one’s paying for it.

CBS News talked to several Newark taxpayers who are angered that they’re the ones paying for Houston’s private funeral service.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous when you have people who are unemployed and homeless, people walking up and down the streets,” said one resident. “If they wanted it to go that far, do that much, they should have been the ones providing for it.”

However, some public officials are saying the overtime cost was necessary for safety concerns.

“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. “If they had not been there someone may have been trampled, seriously hurt.”

Who do you agree with? Should Houston’s family have shelled out the money, or is it the city’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their citizens? Let us know what you think on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below.

[Via E! Online]