COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Since Occupy Colorado Springs (OCS) first formed the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has spent nearly $11,000 in overtime costs, but protesters said it wasn't necessary.

CSPD officers said they spent $3,624.45 in overtime to beef up security during a march OCS held on Oct. 15. They also spent another $6,014.38 for security during the Veterans Day parade.

Another $1,079.22 was attributed to miscellaneous costs, such as responding to various calls, for a total of $10,718.05.

Jason Warf, a member of OCS, said the extra security wasn't necessary and was a waste of $10,000.

"In my opinion it should have never been spent," Warf said. "We actually handed out coffee and donuts to all the Veterans, we had a booth here to send cards overseas to the troops."

Warf said he thinks it's a learning process, and the police were prepared for a threat that wasn't there.

While $11,000 sounds like a lot, compared to some larger cities it's chump change.

City officials in Denver said so far the protests have cost the taxpayers around $365,000, and they expect that number to rise.

"I think Denver, a lot of cities, are spending way too much money on peaceful protesters. Not only can we not afford that as a nation, but it's just really unsustainable and going in the wrong direction," Warf said.

Some protests across the nation have become violent and resulted in dozens of arrests.

"I believe that wherever there is a large group of people you know it's gonna be like a tree, it's got good apples and bad apples, and then you have people that want just complete chaos," Joshua Hybl, a member of OCS said.

According to Denver Police officers more than 80 people have been arrested since the middle of October.

In Colorado Springs there have been three arrests, all for no camping violations.

Local protesters said they are trying to keep the focus on the issues.

"It's just not a good message to be sending out to people if you're trying to preach peace," Hybl said.

Warf agreed.

"Education, jobs, the Fed, that type of thing, as opposed to continue fighting with the police over camping issues," Warf said.

While many of the protesters share different opinions, they said it's a place where all are welcome.

"I've never felt threatened here, and I've never felt any kind of animosity about my opinions that I preach, and sometimes they don't like my opinion, but that's just the way things go, but at least I get to speak my mind, and nobody ever acts violently around here," Hybl said.

Warf said anyone who is concerned about safety has the wrong impression.

"Since we've been out here I've been told by business owners and Lt. Rigdon of the CSPD that the police calls are cut nearly in half, so anyone who feels unsafe should feel completely the opposite," Warf said.

Another difference between OCS and some of the larger protests is cleanliness.

Warf said they clean the park daily and have two bathrooms set up on site.

OCS has a permit with the city which expires Nov. 20, but they are currently in talks about extending it to the end of the year.