Cops seek funds for horse patrol
MADISON--Local police want to increase the number of downtown horseback patrols this year, and they’re hoping to raise enough money to support the effort.
Starting next month, two officers on horseback will patrol areas surrounding the UW-Madison campus, said police Capt. Jill Klubertanz. A third officer may occasionally join them.
The patrols will occur on most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., as well as during football games and special events.
“They say one horse is equal to 10 officers on foot,” Klubertanz said. “It’s really a less confrontational way to deal with crowds.”
But the horseback efforts aren’t cheap. It costs between $5,000 and $8,000 to buy a horse, plus another $4,500 per year for care, housing and equipment, she said.
In the past, two officers who own the horses have covered the costs for their care and equipment, but Klubertanz said that’s not a long-term solution.
“We can ’t get any other officers interested in doing it because of the financial burden it represents,” she said.
Advocates of the mounted patrol are planning to form a nonprofit group called Madison Mounted to raise money for expanding the unit. A resolution authorizing formation of the group is scheduled to be introduced Tuesday to the Madison City Council.
Apr 7, 2008 at 10:27 a.m.
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The horse gives the patrolman added height, allowing him to a far better view than he would have from a bike or on foot, especially in a crowd. There are unique aspects to his mobility on a horse, one of them being that people will tend to move out of the way of a man on a horse. Also, he gets to yell "Hi-yo Silver, away!" ;-)
Apr 7, 2008 at 8:12 a.m.
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why do they need to use horses
why not just have them ride bikes
it would be much easier.
and, be less of a financial budget
besides they arent the ones paying for the horses
the taxpayers are
Apr 7, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.
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Yes the horse market is down, but not every horse is able to do mounted police work. It takes a well mannered, docile and well trained horse to put up with all the strange things a police horse must face. Once a "potential" horse is found, it has to be tested to make sure that it will put up with the elements of the job. Purchasing a horse and putting it out on the street without extensive testing would be foolish.
Apr 7, 2008 at 2:32 a.m.
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My training bill runs about 350 a month. That doesn't include day fees, entries, fuel and camping.
Apr 6, 2008 at 9:35 p.m.
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White hat, furry chaps, and matched pearl handle Colt .45's. Oh, and a lariat for lassoing evildoers.
Apr 6, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.
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Does the Madison Police Dept. realize that the horse market is way down, and great horses can be had for under $1,000? They should do a little research. $1,000 for the horse and $1,500 for training, my totals are a lot less than their $5,000 to $8,000 total. Do the math.
Apr 6, 2008 at 1:24 p.m.
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Will they get the white hat too?
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