DISQUS

EEllis · 5 months ago

They are also absurdly expensive. They do look good and are great in touristy areas but let's acknowledge the negatives. During a 8 hour shift only half is spent working as the rest of the time is spent readying, transporting, and caring for the mounts. They can't be used in inclimate weather. There is also a huge liability involved when the public, almost none of which understands anything about horses, interacts with them. Then of course there is the money spent housing and training along with the time that takes the officers involved who could be working. Conservatively speaking I would think you could put 50 regular cops out for the cost of 12 mounted officers then it makes it easier to see why the decision could go against mounted cops. My city does have a mounted patrol (32 horses) but this is only possible through grants and donations. It is almost impossible for a modern US city to justify the expense otherwise.

swaraaj · 5 months ago

It is an old story — heritage preservation versus expenses.

“Expensive” is a relative term. So let us work out the expenses in concrete terms.

Please remember we are not talking of an individual keeping horses. It is the State machinery/the citizens who foot the bill.

We all know how much money is squandered in the name of "public good" in numerous other activities. Why not curb expenses there.

Also it is a question of priorities. The mounted police is NOT a mere decorative arm. It has proven beyond doubt its important role in maintaining law and order as well as its ceremonial role worldwide.

The presence of horses with mounts is a refreshing sight anywhere, and a much humane/gentle way of portraying the image of police in public.

With deteriorating crime situation in cities, the sight of mounted police is reassuring as compared with impersonal policing through cars or motorcycles alone.

Anyway I would be happy to know how many millions would be saved by throwing away an American heritage …. that is 12 horses, and their mounts, from the Boston police force!!!

AustinRoth · 5 months ago

Another blow to the whip and saddle industry.

This is why we need nationalization of ALL sectors of the business economy - to prevent such tragedies of cold, money-obsessed capitalism throwing productive workers into the streets.

EEllis · 5 months ago

"Anyway I would be happy to know how many millions would be saved by throwing away an American heritage …. that is 12 horses, and their mounts, from the Boston police force!!!"

I don't know but since it's that cities money why not let them decide how to spend it? That's $600,000 and to keep those horses working they will have to layoff police. There will be less police, people losing their jobs, if they keep the horses. The city park rangers were also facing the loss of their 12 mounted patrol officers but $200,000 in private donations kept them alive.

swaraaj · 5 months ago

"I don't know but since it's that cities money why not let them decide how to spend it?"

I know...I know...I also wrote in my post "Why am I talking about Boston mounted police while sitting in India?"

Yes, indeed, why?

Let me explain. The same question was thrown at me when I campaigned for retaining horses for police duties in New Delhi and Chandigarh.

But I persevered and won, and my newspaper supported me. When I was cutting my teeth in journalism I was told by my seniors that NO ISSUE is beyond the purview/coverage area of a GOOD JOURNALIST.

And now we live in a "Global Village." Whatever happens in any part of the world should concern a good journalist.

So if the capital of a "poor" country like India can retain horses in police force why not Boston?

The myopia I see at present in media coverage makes me sad maybe because of my training as a cub/cadet news reporter that exhorted me to explore diverse issues.

The purpose of writing a news report/post is to initiate a discussion...that's what democracy is all about. Discussion not on a limited number of issues...but all that concern people/society.

Unfortunately, culture/heritage are a low priority area for the media. Many believe that without culture/heritage human beings tend to become more barbaric.

We ARE living in different times where discussion is being seriously undermined. How? That's a subject for another debate.

Now let's get back to horses... I love horses. Once I rode bareback in the Himalayas when I was in my mid-twenties. Later, I encouraged my daughter to ride. Horse is a graceful animal and a great companion.

For 600 years my family lived in a princely state in India, and horses and guns were part of our Rajput family treasure/heirloom.

My grandmother was a good rider too, and handled the gun well while hunting deer, wild boar, partridges, pheasants, etc, along with my grandfather when game was abundant.

I have inherited my family's love for horses. I still live in a 100-year-old family house, but I can't afford to keep a horse now.

So whenever I hear the passing away of an era where horses had played a vital role and were part of a heritage ...I mourn...

But continue my solo CAMPAIGN for horses!!!

Silly me, isn't it???

EEllis · 5 months ago

So you like horses therefore Boston should spend $600,000 a year? .......... I think that completes this discussion.

SwaraajChauhan · 5 months ago

Yes, whatever amount needed…Boston police horses need to be saved.

This US/World heritage could be saved, if only the US federal government could spend a “peanut” amount. Later, innovative methods/strategy could be used to raise funds for this mounted unit.

As compared with the scandalous bailout amount being spent on the American banks, insurance companies, car makers,etc. (without any punitive steps for those responsible for the financial crisis), the bailout amount for Boston police horses is indeed peanuts.

Unlike others, the horses (and their mounts and keepers) have not committed any crime but have been punished!!!

Please don’t forget that the US administration has spent trillions of dollars down the drain in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The same federal government can and should spend on heritage and culture.

Boston, let us remind ourselves, is part of the USA, and the Boston mounted unit is the oldest, and the pride, of America.

In the case of Boston mounted police, it is important to remember that the unit also performs useful law and order duties.

The American citizens/media have been a mute witness to years of scandalous financial/political excesses and profligacy of their administration/government.

To think that by doing away with 12 poor horses (who do not have a lobby or voice) the financial situation of Boston/USA would improve, I am afraid it is a sad commentary on a nation that once beckoned the most talented from different parts of the world.

EEllis · 5 months ago

"Unlike others, the horses (and their mounts and keepers) have not committed any crime but have been punished!!! "

Well yes some keepers have lost their jobs but since you could care less about the cops that would lose theirs I hardly see your moral high ground here. As far as the horses none are being punished. Some will go to work in NY , some to the county farm, others return to their owners(they were temp donations). None of which qualifies as a punishment. And the horses have quite a lobby maybe they should of gotten off their asses and raised some money instead of complaining that someone else didn't come up with the money. I assume you will be sending a donation post haste?

http://www.mintformounts.org/welcome.html

And now the Feds should pay? You are a little horse crazy arn't you.

screamnpeopleunderstand · 5 months ago

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