MUNDY TWP. - Military funeral protesters from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., asked for special police protection for a recent planned visit. Now they're getting something they didn't ask for: a bill. The controversial group - who say military deaths are God's retribution for the country's failure to condemn homosexuality - planned to demonstrate at the July 1 memorial service for fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Webb of Swartz Creek. But they didn't show up, and now they'll be charged more than $5,000 for the cost of providing security. Mundy Township's message: You don't show up, you pay up.
Police were ready for the notorious protesters - who demonstrate at military funerals across the country, hurling insults at mourners and spitting on American flags - at Webb's memorial service at Swartz Funeral Home. But the church members, who had told authorities they were coming in a letter dated June 28, never appeared.
Police Chief David Guigear said Westboro's failure to show broke a verbal contract with the township for security services. "They didn't even give me a courtesy call to say they weren't coming," he said. Westboro parishioner and attorney Shirley Phelps-Roper said group members bought airline tickets, but they were told by the Holy Ghost at the last minute to stay home.