Child Hostage Standoff Could Cost Millions
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: February 6, 2013
It took seven days for countless law enforcement officers to free little Ethan from an underground bunker. It was physically and emotionally exhausting and Jimmy Lee Dykes's actions cost taxpayers a lot of money.
Retired Dothan Police Chief, John White, said a hostage situation like the one in Midland City requires all of an agency's resources and manpower.
White said the standoff can also deplete an agency's budget. He estimates that Dykes actions cost millions. "How do you put a price on a human life? I'm sure Sheriff Wally Olson expended his entire budget in this operation as well as deep into the budgets of others. It's worth every penny to spend that money," said White.
White said most law enforcement agencies don't anticipate anything of this magnitude to happen and don't plan for it in their budget. "You got over time cost, fuel cost, vehicle expenses that you don't anticipate when you develop your budget," continued White.
