By Suzie Ziegler
CHARLESTON, S.C. — More than a decade has passed since the last mounted police officer patrolled in Charleston. Now, the city’s mounted patrol is making its comeback.
According to Live 5 News, the unit will return on Saturday thanks to donations from several local organizations. The donations include two horses from a carriage tour company – named Watson and Holmes – as well as their equipment and care for one year, according to the report.
“We are so pleased to have the Mounted Patrol Unit making its return to Charleston,” said Dustin Thompson, Deputy Chief of the Charleston Police Department. “The Mounted Patrol Unit will undoubtedly enhance our efforts in community relations and crime prevention. We look forward to the successes to come and hope to expand the unit to service even more parts of the city in the future.”
Two mounted officers will primarily patrol the city’s central business district and help with special events, the report said. The city’s mounted unit was founded in 1978 before it was discontinued in 2011 due to finances. However, the city voted in October to re-establish the patrol, according to the report.
“Horses are very expensive. Tough budget decisions were made 10 years ago to dismantle it, but we are happy with our partnerships with Explore Charleston, the Charleston Visitors Bureau and the carriage companies,” Thompson told FOX 28.
Sgt. William Gritzuk, who was part of the mounted patrol 10 years ago, says the horses are a valuable community policing opportunity.
“It’s really an ice breaker to come up and pet the horse, because who doesn’t love a horse? It affords us an opportunity to be highly visible,” said Gritzuk. “I can’t implore people enough to come up to us and speak to us. Come meet the horse. We are here to serve you.”
Mounted officers offer better visibility and crowd management than patrols do by foot or car, the Charleston Police Department said.
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