D.C. School's Makeover a Bit Extreme for Some

Lanier has detailed nearly 2,000 hours of police manpower for the project

"Extreme Makeover Home Edition" is in town, and it's making some people angry.

The reality television series -- which usually features the heartwarming story of transformation for a family that has faced some type of recent or ongoing hardship, like a hurricane or cancer -- is under fire by the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Union for its current work on The Fishing School in Northeast D.C.

In most cases, when a production company comes to D.C. to film or stage major events, the city bills the company.  But D.C. Police have confirmed that this time the District will foot the bill for the 24-hour police presence.

According to a statement by D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier:

SOD is managing the security with no adverse impact to patrol and that we're excited to be a part of this humanitarian effort, and lend a helping hand to such a worthwhile cause. Further, we have a responsibility to ensure that with this large construction project that will certainly draw numerous onlookers we have adequate presence to make sure residents and visitors are safe.

Lanier has detailed nearly 2,000 hours of police manpower over eight days for the project and that has people like FOP representative Christopher Bauman a bit frustrated.

 "The idea that we’re going to take 30 police on-duty officers a day, take them away from the citizens, and put them out on this site is unacceptable," Bauman told NBCWashington.  "The citizens are angry. The police officers are angry. We’re not here to be the police to protect a corporation.”

Not even if that corporation is trying to make a D.C.-based, nonprofit youth development organization -- that was founded by a former D.C. police officer -- bigger and better? 

But perhaps the question is, instead of springing for "abundant Starbucks samples and endless cookies," why isn't the show footing the bill? And, is this the norm when the show arrives in a town?

With a $131 million in budget cuts and 1,632 layoffs already tabled for D.C., inquiring minds want to know.

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