May 5, 2009 11:42 am US/Eastern
Boston Police Horses May Get To Saddle Up Again
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
They were supposed to ride off into the sunset -- a victim of these economic times, but Boston police horses may get the chance to saddle up again.
In March, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis announced the
12-horse mounted patrol unit would be disbanded.
At a budget hearing on Tuesday, mounted patrol supporters will urge city councilors to
bring the horses back.
City Council Pres. Michael Ross calls the mounted patrols "iconic" and vows to find other budget items to cut to save the horses.
Supporters who organized an
online petition tell The Boston Herald mounted patrols provide crowd control, help patrol city parks and are a tourist attraction. But Boston Police are looking to save $600,000 and they say mounted patrols can be replaced by cops on bikes and on foot.
You may have seen mounted patrols used for crowd control after Boston sports team victory celebrations. Superintendent in Chief Robert Dunford told the Herald these horses are effective as a deterrent if the crowd is passive but if the crowd is violent, the horse are a disadvantage.
Should a Boston icon be preserved or should the 200-year-old tradition fall victim to the times?
Join the conversation on wbztv.com!
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