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TUCSON - The number of protestors involved with Occupy Tucson continues to grow and so does the number of arrests.

Officers have been busy at Armory Park where the protestors have set up since day one and that of course costs money.

The Tucson Police Department said the first night alone cost the department $23,000 in overtime and by day ten it was up to roughly $37,000.

From the very beginning TPD has been arresting those who stay after the park closes, then just releases them to stay another night. So why not arrest them and haul them off to jail?

TPD said it would cost too much. Sgt. Matt Ronstadt said, "We're looking at a roughly 72-thousand dollar savings by citing and releasing at the scene vs transporting to the jail."

It has led to a lot of repeat arrests, and protestors said there's plenty more to come unless the city gives them a break.

Billy Lolos has been protesting from the beginning. He said, "I'll stay here and take the tickets because I've been silent too long. Silent compliance is what got us in the mess we are in today"

And despite the arrests, protestors said they're still growing. Robbie Abalos said, "Not just doubled but probably tripled in size."

They're now hoping Tucson's warm weather brings in people from other parts of the country. Abalos said, "A lot of people are getting cold up there. So we've got the movement down here for them."

But the spectacle at Armory Park isn't just attracting supporters. Some people have come down to check it out and walked away laughing, saying it's just a big joke.

One Tucson resident who's against the protest said, "I asked them where they got their supplies and they said Sams Club so I said you realize Sams Club is Wal-Mart and that your complaining against Wal-Mart. They're basically supporting the people they are complaining against."

The protestors continue to say they're in it for the long haul, but the good news is TPD said because the arrests have occurred without incident they've been able to scale back staffing at Armory Park to avoid any more overtime.

On Tuesday the protestors plan to march to city hall as the city council will discuss what to do with the Occupy Tucson movement.