Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration said yesterday that sending a police detective with him to Detroit over the weekend was a reasonable concession to security concerns.

"You're sending him to Detroit with 20,000 rabid Red Wings fans, and you're not going to send security?" said Public Safety Director Michael Huss.

Mr. Ravenstahl went to Detroit for the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals, covering the costs of tickets and accommodations for himself and guests out of his pocket.

Mr. Huss said it was his decision to have the city provide a Chevy Impala, gas, and two nights in a hotel for Detective Dominick Sciulli, who will receive some overtime pay for his work on the trip. Mr. Huss said he decides whether to send security with the mayor on out-of-town trips on a case-by-case basis.

Mr. Huss said that once Mr. Ravenstahl got to Detroit, the city's police provided an additional bodyguard. Detective Sciulli was able to attend the games free of charge, as a courtesy extended to security professionals.

The exact cost of the hotel room and overtime for Mr. Sciulli wasn't available yesterday.