"The Boston Mounted Police have been cut from the budget! I just came from the vote for the budget and Councilmen Yoon, Flaherty and Ross were the only ones who spoke out on behalf of saving the Mounted Police. It is a done deal. There was a reporter from the Boston Herald present, so he will have an article in full. BTW,there are more than 3,000 people on here, but yesterday there was a total of about 25 people there. Today, there were 5. I hope more of you wrote. Why? There is a chance that the unit could be "reconstituted," though that is doubtful. The four-legged members will be going to the Big Apple and to Plymouth. The fate of the others will be in the Herald I am sure."
"I heard what we believed to be our strongest City Councilor supporter on the radio today. Two words come to mind: "sell out". The wealthy people who have donated to the Park Rangers for years will be able to retain this unit, but our Boston Police horses are being hung out to dry. I guess that money can really buy anything and everything - including city services that should be enjoyed by all citizens. I will be sending another mass message to the group today at the urging of another City Councilor, who has NEVER wavered in his support of this unit. He wants as many people to attend the City Council hearing at City Hall at noon tomorrow (Wednesday). The City Council votes tomorrow and he wants the other councilors to actually see our support tomorrow. I know it's late notice, but it's one last ditch effort for these horses to stay were they belong."
It is such a shame that the City Council and the Police Department has to Disband such a tradition. Many people supported this but the efforts seemed tobe not enough.
Here are posts from some people who supported the Boston Police Mounted Unit and would love to see them stay.
"Amy...it's too bad that this recognition couldn't be on a weekend, so that people with work commitments can attend along with their families. Many of those who have been supportive to this cause have used either sick or vacation days from work in order to attend these weekday hearings. I am extremely disappointed in the outcome of the majority vote. This is a huge topic and many will remember this outcome while in the voting booths. Shame on them for allowing this to happen. They forget that their positions are given to them by voters. The City's public servants are out of control and this issue is a poster child for change in Boston. Again, shame on them."
"On behalf of those of us who were present, I would like to thank Council President Ross for taking a moment to specifically address the issue of the Mounted Police. Repeaedly today the word "dire" was paired with economic times and there seemed to be a lot of discussion about the budget being reduced and relegated to the most important things. Of course we think schools and programs to keep teens occupied and to minimize violence etc. are very worthwhile. However, we also feel that the Mounted Police are valuable as an historical, cultural, educational, personable, aesthetic means of maintaining safety and tradtion in the old streets of Boston and that they scost relatively little to maintain. I don't think there was a greater show of force earlier cuz quite frankly I don't think any one thought the mayor would actually ELIMINATE such a Boston institution. Now-again--Last Min.. you tell us you will honor them. We need more time to get people together to show them we care. This stinks!"
BPD Mounted Unit doesn't just serve Boston - they go to other events where extra patrols are needed - like Salem's Halloween Celebrations. etc. So more than just the City of Boston is going to feel this impact.
http://bostonhorses.blogspot.com/
Every year, I look forward to see the horses during First Night, St. Patrick's Day, Boston Marathon and all the big events in Boston. I feel that they have aleady became part of the cities and not just about budget. The mounted Polic Officers are doing a great job, and the horses have served the city well for crowd control after Boston won all the sports events lately.
Does the city think that they will stop winning sports and crowd control is not needed anymore?
"The Mounted Police are a special group of officers and service animals who have been a vital force in Massachusetts for over 110 years. They manage to step in where cars can not go, and they leave absolutely no carbon footprint. They have done it all: patrolled the Streets of Brookline during the strike of 1919; tried to keep order in the at Fenway after the game as in 2004 or even going onto the field as they did in the Red Sox game in 1986; they even kept order at Sacco and Vanzetti's funeral if my facts are all right."
Part of History and Tradition is disappearing, lets all hope nothing else good is going.
-- Iron Bowl
