Local News

Protecting The State Capitol, Other Locations Cost Almost $19 Million

January 21, 2021 / 6:05 PM PST / CBS Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS13/AP) — California spent nearly $19 million for a week's worth of high security around the state Capitol and other locations because of fears of civil unrest surrounding the inauguration of President Joe Biden, officials said citing preliminary estimates Thursday.

National Guard troops began standing down Thursday, but "state and local law enforcement will maintain a heightened posture over the coming days," said Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Temporary fencing installed around the Capitol will stay up at least for the rest of the week.

Just one supporter of departing President Donald Trump was present as Biden took his oath of office Wednesday, a man wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat who would only identify himself as "Joe" from Brentwood in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"I thanked all the police for coming out for me," Joe said. "I think they've gone way overboard."

Small groups of black-clad counter-protesters wearing helmets and carrying shields had gathered at nearby parks, and more than 50 marched near the Capitol. But there were no confrontations as dozens of police and soldiers guarded every entrance behind a 6-foot (1.8 meter) chain-link fence.

CALIFORNIA, USA - JANUARY 20: A little after noon a small group of antifa demonstrators marched from a nearby park to the Capitol complex, on January 20, 2021 in Sacramento, California, United States. They chanted slogans at the assembled law enforcement before leaving without any disturbance. (Photo by Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

CALIFORNIA, USA - JANUARY 20: A heavy police and California National Guard presence was on display around California State Capitol during Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, on January 20, 2021 in Sacramento, California, United States. (Photo by Neal Waters/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Members of the National Guard patrol near the State Capitol in Sacramento, California on January 17, 2021 during a nationwide protest called by anti-government and far-right groups supporting US President Donald Trump and his claim of electoral fraud in the November 3 presidential election. - The FBI warned authorities in all 50 states to prepare for armed protests at state capitals in the days leading up to the January 20 presidential inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: CHP officers and other law enforcement reinforcements stage inside The Legislative Office Building across from the state Capitol in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: An elderly couple walks arm-in-arm as National Guard troops arrive downtown to protect the Capitol and surrounding historical buildings in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: CHP officers on bikes and National Guard troops stand guard to protect the State Library & Courts Building across from the state Capitol in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: National Guard troops patrol an entrance to California State Capitol Park as resident stroll past as Gov. Newsom ordered the troops in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: A family of four, including two small children, ride past armed National Guard troops who have arrived downtown to protect the Capitol and surrounding historical buildings in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 16, 2021: National Guard troops and CHP officers stand guard to protect the State Library & Courts Building across from the state Capitol in anticipation of civil unrest leading up to the Inauguration January 16, 2021 in Sacramento, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Members of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wearing protective masks stand outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The FBI warns that pro-Trump protests are planned at U.S. statehouses before the presidential inauguration. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A truck drove past the counter-demonstrators flying an American flag and playing the national anthem.

Sacramento police say one vehicle was confronting demonstrators as they marched. A person inside the vehicle was cited for possession of pepper spray. Another vehicle was reported to have Molotov cocktails. Police stopped the vehicle and a search turned up no such devices.

Gov. Gavin Newsom mobilized 1,000 members of the National Guard to safeguard the Capitol and other vital infrastructure, at a cost of $3.4 million for staffing, fuel, and travel, the state Department of Finance said Thursday.

But the bulk was $15.4 million in extra costs for the California Highway Patrol, which went on "tactical alert" five days before the inauguration. Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray said that was necessary to provide maximum department resources to protect public safety along with state buildings.

The CHP's cost included temporary fencing and lighting around the Capitol in addition to extra staffing.

Ferguson said the heavy security "was an effective deterrent to vandalism and other potentially unlawful activity."

More than 200 California National Guard troops headed to Washington, D.C., on Monday aboard four C-130 aircraft to help protect the U.S. Capitol, which was stormed by Trump supporters earlier this month.

The federal government is paying the cost of that national deployment.