City won't be billing the VP for security

Joe Biden is no George W. Bush.

At least when it comes to security.

Back in September 2004, the city brought out 52 pieces of heavy equipment to build a shield around Noelridge Park where President Bush gave a talk.

At the same time, 10 road graders, an end loader and a fire truck also surrounded the entrance to the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel downtown where Bush made an unannounced stop to tape his weekly radio address.

But fewer than a dozen dump trucks and other heavy equipment were needed to block off downtown streets around Greene Square Park where Biden was featured at Gov. Chet Culver's noon re-election tour.

Craig Hanson, the city's public works maintenance manager, said the city will not bill the governor or the federal government for the protection.

“For presidential or vice presidential visits, past practice is not to bill unless (it's a) pure presidential election item,” Hanson said. “At least that has been the practice for the last six years that I have been with the city.”

Police Capt. Steve O'Konek, commander of the patrol division and no newcomer to planning security for high-profile visitors, also said the city wouldn't bill for the police officers on hand Tuesday.

“He is the sitting vice president and not a candidate,” O'Konek said.

He said the security detail involved extra on-duty officers and staffers from other divisions. Police staffing in the rest of the city remained at regular levels for a Tuesday, he said.

“The only cost,” he said, “would be the time spent away from other duties or assignments. It was a good team effort.”