September 2020 Issue

Page 10 September 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Email: eschfence@gmail.com - Fax: -- WHOLESALE & RETAIL Phone -- (Continued from page 4) Baltimore Disbands 132 Year Old Mounted Police Unit unusual public, private partner- ship aimed at promoting eco- nomic development and safety in one of Baltimore’s more troubled neighborhoods. The 12-stall facility, known as First Mile Stable, has over- sized stalls, a heated wash stall, community room and exercise paddock. The construction was privately funded but the city was to lease the stable for nearly $100,000 annually. Under the terms of the contract, moving out requires one-year’s notice. “The city is beginning to understand there are unintended consequences,” said Kris A. Hoe- llen , executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “There is a substantial financial impact to not move in.” She and others point to the community aspect of the facility and argued the role of horses and the stable to rejuvenate a chal- lenged area wasn’t recognized in the decision making. “The opportunity to have more safety and economic bene- fits is sorely needed on the west side,” said Hollen. The stable facility was designed also to be a stop on the museum’s rail line with visitors getting the opportunity to see the horses up close and talk to officers. “Seeing horses in the paddock, bonding with police officers and maybe seeing a career path,” said Hollen. “It could change the trajectory of someone’s life.” Mounted police units, despite their effective role in crowd con- trol whether in parades or protest and as community ambassadors, are often targeted during bud- get cutting in cities around the country. Philadelphia’s mounted unit, formed in 1867 was shut down in 2004, but reopened in 2011. The Bethlehem (PA) Police Depart- ment’s Mounted Patrol Unit was restored in 2009 after a 63-year hiatus. Lancaster City’s Mounted Unit has been able to avoid the whims of city budgets since it is funded through the Lancaster Police Foundation and citizen donations. In Pennsylvania, there are at least eight active mounted units. Some patrol cities and others whole counties, while the Penn- sylvania State Police maintains a statewide presence. There are three mount- ed police units active in New Jersey, while Maryland has two units in addition to Baltimore and there is one in New Castle, Delaware. Should the dissolution of the Baltimore Mounted Unit take place, Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy, Md. has said it would take in the horses, which are draft and draft-cross breeds. “We offered to house the horses indefinitely and make them available to their officers whenever they want to ride or visit so the mounted unit could have them back when it is refunded,” said Christine Hajek, founder and president of Gentle Giants. Meanwhile, Southwest Bal- timore community leaders said while they are heartbroken at the budget news, they will continue to press for the restoration of funding. Kintira Barbour, community engagement liaison for the Mount Clare Community Council, told SouthBMore.com that she was looking forward to welcoming the unit as neighbors and as a way to improve citizen and police relations. “After decades of underde- velopment, the sight of the newly constructed First Mile Stable was our light at the end of a dark tunnel,” she said. “It was evidence that our community wasn’t forgot- ten after years of broken promises to develop and invest.” Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian.