Winter 2023-2024 Issue

Page 4 Winter 2023/2024 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! engineering for the barn that we didn’t need to spend,” Glazier said. The Foundation, which has been raising funds for the mount- ed unit since the mid-2000s, also supports other facets of the police department including the Canine Unit, and provides police training and equipment the City could not normally afford. They have also provided dress uniforms for the mounted officers to use when they were a part of an honor guard at funerals. “The Foundation pays for everything and anything we buy. We donate those to the city, so the city actually owns all the horses,” Glazier said. Mounted units are used for regular downtown patrols, plus they are assigned to crowd control at events and large gatherings. With- out them in this role, the department is turning to modern technology. “We are looking at our drone pro- gram, which would be key to large events,” Police Chief Richard Men- dez said at the press conference. Mounted units are also known for their value in community relations. “The mounted Unit was a leading force in building long last- ing relationships within the com- munity through events, patrolling the Downtown Investment District and serving as a friendly represen- tative of the Bureau,” Mendez said. Glazier noted that the unit has been involved in a wide range of events, including those outside the City. The unit has been able to assist with policing when request- ed by other cities such as the G7 Conference in Pittsburgh. They also attended public events like Horse World Expo in Harrisburg. “Law enforcement is more than just arresting people who commit crimes. It’s building a rap- port with the community, including the broader community,” Glazier said. “I hope the city leadership is creative in thinking of other ways to build rapport between citizens and police officers.” The public reaction to the an- nouncement has been a combina- tion of shock and sadness. “People in the community are sad and some are upset. Everybody loved seeing the horses. The horses are very engaging but how the city deploys their officers is a decision they are entitled to make,” Glazier said. “I’m sad about this because of the support the community has given.” “The Bureau is sad to say goodbye to the mounts. They will make great additions to loving and well experienced families,” Mendez said. The exact details of future plans for the horses had not been announced as of press time. As of October 13, a petition to keep the mounted unit had garnered 1,200 signatures. Lancaster City Police Will Disband Mounted Unit (Continued from page 1)