in an effort to suppress dissent Simi Valley says citizens must pay for police service

The bill for $39,306 is the preliminary pricetag for police services at the protest Sunday at the United Church of Christ. The protest brought out about 125 anti-illegal immigration activists and counter-protestors.

The city wants the church to pay for services provided by the Simi Valley Police Department and mutual aid from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Mayor Paul Miller told the council Monday night that he's ready to send out the bill to the church to recoup the cost. He called church members irresponsible for "harboring an illegal immigrant."