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. Last month Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis announced the 12-horse mounted patrol unit would be disbanded
Today, at a budget hearing, mounted patrol supporters will urge city councillors to bring the horses back
City council president 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 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?
