When multiple reports came in two days ago of the Seattle Police Mounted Unit riding up and down SW Barton through Westwood and Fauntleroy, we noted that we usually only heard about one sighting a year, though the unit is based in West Seattle, at Westcrest Park in Highland Park. Now, just two days later, they’ve turned up on Alki Beach. Thanks to Kate Kaemerle for the photo!
Oooh! Let me be the first to say it:
POOP!
Giant horsey litter box!
end sarcasm
Crowd control is obviously needed. I’m sure all the sand fleas and seagulls are totally out of hand. ha!
I love horses, but this is a silly, expensive public relations program that has little value overall. Someone’s pet project, not pun intended. Hire several more officers for that money.
G – fyi, Seattle Police Foundation and citizen donations support the unit for most of its expenses of upkeep. Donated funds are strictly for that purpose and certainly not for hiring cops or even salaries.
Talk/write to city council if you want more cops. Writing on the blog doesn’t cut it. Unless you are one of those whiner-do-nothing types…than whine as you must.
any hopes that they are in ‘preseason’ training for the masses that flock to the beach in the summer?
What a way to set an example allowing horses to be on the beach and poop as well, but you’ll get fined if your dog is in the sand. So typical, double standards.
They were in the Westwood Village parking lot the other day where they left humungous piles in two parking spaces.
I guess they don’t have to worry about the poor schmuck who is stuck with the clean-up.
Had the same discussion on the photo two days ago. It’s now closed. – TR
Do you people realize that the horses need training along with the riders? A officer and his/her horse can do more crowd control,traffic control than on foot. I hope your sarcasm remarks comes back and bites you, when at sometime in your life you will need this protection from these officers.
Nah, just scoop it into the nearest flower bed. It’s great fertilizer.
I find it odd SPD would use horses for crowd control. Seem to me, mounting officers on elephants, giraffes or tigers would be more effective.
The problem with that idea, Hoppy Daze, is that with the exception of the first of those (and even then, only Asian elephants really cotton to it), those animals don’t take well to being ridden…horses are tricky enough (and also terrified of elephants so you definitely don’t want to mix them up).
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Unless you define “crowd control” as “widespread panic”…
Hoppy Daze, how about camels? SPD Officers would have the added benefit of their mounts spitting at troublemakers! ;-)
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Mike
I like the tiger idea. Troublemakers would really take notice. (Of course, dismounting could be problematic for the officer!)
So has anyone asked why they were there? Seems to be missing from this article.
Chris, probably training and acclimation. Horses are easily startled and taking them out to places where they can encounter people and get used to being out and about is important, especially for police horses who are often used for crowd control and PR.
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miws: lol! Camels really are incredibly uncomfortable to ride, though…
God it’s just a picture people get a grip. I assume you just want them in their stalls. The utter lack of respect for SPD will be Seattle’s downfall- note Roxhill gangs of mini thugs attacking children. The horses are beautiful and they do a great job. Period.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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