Philadelphia's Mounted Police Get Needed Donation of Wheels
By John Ostapkovich
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Police Department is no longer saddled with a big problem that had affected its mounted unit: getting around.
The mounted unit has 17 horses but had only seven trailers (carrying two horses each), so only 14 could be transported at once.
Now, thanks to a generous donation from the Philadelphia Police Foundation, they have enough wheels for all the hooves.
"We were happy to donate two large trucks and trailers to be able to transport the 17 horses to the streets as quickly as possible," says foundation president Maureen Rush, "so now, having these additional vehicles allows the mounted patrol to get on patrol or get to an emergency situation quicker."
Two new Ford F-150 trucks and two Eby horse trailers set the foundation back $80,000.
Rush, a former police officer, says the mounted unit, restarted in 2010, is a handy tool is some critical situations.
The Philadelphia Police Foundation has also helped out by providing bulletproof vests and advanced training.
