Tasked with securing the city of Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police spent almost $50 million last year, the Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.
The expense report is mostly what one would expect—ballistic helmets, chest protectors, mass arrest tracking software—but the police were diligent about other, less expected threats.
The city of Charlotte was safe from both horse manure ($450 for removal) and shoeless horses ($75 for farrier services). The shins of police officers riding bicycles ($9,654 for shin guards) were also safe.
Chainsaws were rented ($949, without further description, the Observer's Cleve R. Wootson Jr. notes).
To sustain valor, police officers purchased thousands in food (officers had a per diem during the convention), including $31,878.39 worth of Arby's. A mere $450.40 went to Chick-fil-a and just $69.26 to Bojangles.