The last time Judy Monaco was on Donald Street in Downtown Winnipeg, it was a lot busier.
"Crazy…there was so much white so much Jet fans, people were so courteous,” said Monaco.
Monaco attended three Whiteout street parties, one per playoff round. She said it was a safe experience, because of the heavy police presence.
"Everything went so smooth it was great," said Monaco.
But there's a price tag for that security, pushing the police budget into overtime.
A new report to the Winnipeg Police Board says police OT was projected to be under budget for the year, but it’s now over because of the Jets playoff street parties. Dollar amounts were not provided.
In a separate report, Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth said daily rosters for games peaked at 236 members with the start of round three against the Vegas Golden Knights.
City Councillor and police board member Ross Eadie said it's time to consider using the hotel tax or a portion of the entertainment tax remitted to True North, to help pay the extra policing bill.
"The costs I believe shouldn't be born through the property tax payers it should be born through all that economic development," said Eadie.
On covering the OT, Mayor Brian Bowman says he’s not weighing in until the board and service meet first to discuss costs.
"With the police board I'm trying to respect the role they have and we obviously want and expect they're going to do their oversight and responsibility and we'll go from there," said Bowman.
After round one the City and True North paid for policing costs for the Whiteout party.
Judy Monaco says it should be a team effort.
"Why can't everybody just all pitch in together and do it all bigger and better next year,” said Monaco
CTV News has been told as early as Friday the final street party tab for all city departments could be released and who is footing the bills. The police board meeting is scheduled for the same day.
In his report Chief Smyth said no serious incidents were reported during the events.
