High cost of policing Hess Village

Hess Village bar and club owners are speaking out about the high price-tag for security.

Club owners in the district say they spend around $180,000 a year to pay police officers to keep the peace in Hess. While police say the extra officers are vital to keeping the area safe, club owners say it’s not sustainable. An additional 10 officers on paid overtime are brought in to Hess during the summer, and the cost falls on the owners. A city report issued this fall showed an agreement between Hess bar owners and police started in 2000, with the cost to be split between the two parties. However, owners say it’s no longer 50-50.