Cost of Police Response to Protest Mounts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Costs associated with protests in St. Paul over the shooting death of a black motorist by a suburban police officer have risen to $1.5 million.

Tonya Tennessen, spokeswoman for Mayor Chris Coleman, says of that amount, $1.3 million was for police costs through Tuesday.

The preliminary costs jumped $500,000 in the past week. As of July 17, the cost was estimated at $1 million, including a blockade that shut down Interstate 94 in St. Paul earlier this month.

Protesters have been camped outside the governor's mansion in St. Paul since July 7, the day after a St. Anthony police officer fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop in nearby Falcon Heights. Nearly 70 protesters were arrested Tuesday and early Wednesday as police cleared protesters from the street in front of the mansion.

Tennessen says St. Paul may ask the state or federal government for assistance.