I don't need another reason to be glad that former President Bush chose someplace other than Houston to retire to, but if you do, here's one for you.

The tab to provide crowd and traffic control at the new Preston Hollow home of former President George W. Bush could reach $1 million a year, Police Chief David Kunkle said Wednesday.

For now, the department will probably post officers in the neighborhood around the clock to deal with crowds of onlookers.

The $1 million figure is based on the cost of providing two officers in a squad car on a 24-hour basis for one year.

"We have had officers out there frequently because of the crowds and traffic," Kunkle said. How long the department will post officers in the neighborhood "depends on the amount of interest and curiosity. I don't know how long we will have to commit people."

City Manager Mary Suhm said the city does not plan to ask the federal government to reimburse Dallas for police patrols of Bush's neighborhood.

"I don't believe that it'll be a massive expense," she said. Dallas "is going to take care of the president like we would take care of any of our citizens."