For a little over two days in September 1964, it cost Cleveland $17,000 (over $175,000 today) in police overtime pay to protect the Beatles. By Jaden Stambolia
The Beatles came to Cleveland for the first time on Sept. 15, 1964. Everyone was naturally excited to see and hear one of the most popular bands in the world play at the Public Auditorium. The City of Cleveland’s Police, on the other hand, might have had a different opinion of that trip.
The day before, the Beatles arrived at the Sheraton-Cleveland hotel with a crowd in tow. The police erected a line of officers around the building. Security became so tight that police chief Richard Wagner, wearing his civvies, didn’t think he would be allowed on the floor where the Beatles were staying…