WASHINGTON –The actual cost of protecting Donald Trump and his 58-story Trump Tower during the presidential transition was $25.7 million – about $10 million less than what Mayor de Blasio initially estimated.
Police Commissioner James O’Neill sent a letter to New York City area members of Congress this week outlining the final security bill: $24 million for NYPD and $1.7 million for the Fire Department.
The cost covers the 75 days between Election Day and the inauguration. O’Neill acknowledged the initial estimate was $35 million in December, but the tab turned out lower “after an extensive analysis of payrolls, overtime sheets, and over 25,000 individual patrol log entries.”
De Blasio in December asked Congress to reimburse New York $35 million.
The feds only approved $7 million, partly because officials wanted to see proof of actual costs.
One Republican source called the $35 million figure a “back-of-the-envelope number thrown out by the Mayor’s Office.”
New York is now requesting the remaining $18.7 million.
NYPD’s daily cost to secure the skyscraper is $127,000 to $146,000 and $4.5 million annually for FDNY, O’Neill said.
The daily rate will increase to $308,000 when Trump is in town.
Protecting the First Family, securing Trump Tower and serving as the police department for millions of people is putting a strain on the NYPD, the commissioner said.
“Trump Tower itself now presents a target to those who wish to commit acts of terror against our country, further straining our limited counterterrorism resources,” O’Neill wrote.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) said she will fight to secure the funding for the city.
“Protecting the President-elect and his family is a national security priority and the burden of these costs must not fall on New Yorkers,” Maloney said.