Glenn Beck Day price tag: $17,748.85

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MOUNT VERNON, Wash., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A Washington state town is facing more than $17,000 in bills stemming from a recent visit by conservative TV pundit Glenn Beck, who was given a day by the town.

Alicia Huschka, finance director for Mount Vernon, Wash., said the Sept. 26 Glenn Beck Day, which featured a visit from the Fox News host, cost the city $17,748.85, with most of the expense attributable to 239 hours of police overtime, The Seattle Times reported Friday.

"Honestly, I'm a bit surprised at how big the cost was," Huschka said.

Mount Vernon Police Chief Ken Bergsma said the police presence was necessary as the crowd of protesters that greeted Beck before he received the key to the city from Mayor Bud Norris numbered 800 to 1,000, the largest protest he has seen in the city in his 32 years with the police.

"I'd rather be before you justifying the cost of the staffing involved, as opposed to being before you to explain why it was underplanned and understaffed," Bergsma said he told the City Council.

Bergsma said the town received about 3,000 e-mails and several phone calls ahead of the visit by Beck, a native of Mount Vernon, and one e-mail and one phone call "were alarming, with indications of threats." He did not give details.