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Philadelphia Police Department Mounted Unit To Return To Streets This Year
Grass-Roots Campaign Seeks $3 Million in Donations
FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby joined Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, members of the Philadelphia Police Foundation and other officials on a cool spring day next to the corral of the White Pine Farm in Richboro, Bucks County, to welcome the newest equine recruits into the Philadelphia Police Department.
Not only was there a great spirit of enthusiasm for the return of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Mounted Unit, there also was the spirit of five police officers who died in the line of duty in 2008 and 2009 watching over the important event.
Commissioner Ramsey revealed the new names of the horses – Johnny, Pat, Stephen, Santiago and Tiny Tim. Named for Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, Officer Isabel Santiago Nazario, Sgt. Patrick McDonald, Sgt. Timothy Simpson, and Officer John Pawlowski.
“In getting the first few horses, it struck me that if the families would agree to it that it would be something to one again honor the service of their loved ones,” Ramsey said.
McNesby, who is a member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Police Foundation, said, “It’s a good tool and a valuable tool for the officers on the street.” He said the naming of the horses for the fallen heroes was “a wonderful gesture. It goes a long way with the families.”
Members of each family proudly posed for photographs with the horses and riders. Numerous former Philadelphia Mounted Unit officers attended the ceremonies. The unit was disbanded seven years ago by the city for budgetary reasons.
The Philadelphia Police Foundation is supporting the return of the Mounted Unit with a public fundraising campaign that has a goal of $3 million. The funds will be used to build stables for the horses, an operational headquarters for the officers, and materials need to keep the horses in first-class condition.
The public can contribute to the Mounted Unit at www.phillypolicefoundation.org.
Four of the horses came from the recently disbanded Newark, NJ, Police Department’s Mounted Unit. Johnny, the fifth steed, came from the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s (PTHA) “Turning for Home” racehorse retirement program. Additional horses are expected in the future from “Turning for Home” adoption program, as well as from horse owners throughout the Philadelphia area.
The PTHA has agreed to partner with the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia Police Foundation. They have generously offered assistance in planning for the new stables and headquarters, providing tack and equipment, in addition to the horses from the “Turning for Home” program.
The initial plan is to have 10-12 horses and officers up and running this year. In addition to public contributions, corporate support has been provided by Comcast, 7-Eleven and Verizon Wireless. State Sen. Lawrence Farnese has secured a $100,000 state-funded grant specifically for the Police Department and Mounted Unit.