Bay Ridge

Meet the NYPD mounted unit patrolling Bay Ridge

Officers on horseback help keep community safe

January 18, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
NYPD Mounted Unit Officer Ramos introduces a young Brooklyn boy to Pompeii. Eagle photos by John Alexander
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“A horse is a horse of course, of course,” unless the horse is part of the NYPD Mounted Unit, a program that enables them to help protect the community.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Bay Ridge, two mounted police officers were patrolling the area by 86th Street and Shore Road Park.  These large and beautifully groomed creatures are part of a borough-wide effort to control crime while keeping watch over parks and recreational areas.

The mounted unit has approximately 55 horses and 100 officers. An officer with at least three years of experience can apply to become part of the unit. After being chosen, an officer must undergo a rigorous training process, working five or six hours a day for up to six months.

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The horses and officers are ultimately paired and stay together. The officers who are selected for the unit will also help clean, feed and care for the horses. Once their training is complete, the officers receive their certification.

Officers Ramos and Valdez explained that Bay Ridge is one of the neighborhoods the mounted unit regularly patrols. Officer Ramos told the Brooklyn Eagle that they also “patrol areas in Prospect Park and anywhere in Brooklyn on a regular day, and then special assignments everywhere else.”

Valdez introduced the black steed as Pompeii and the bay as Sam. The Mounted Unit’s mission is to help regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent street crime and maintain community relations.

The officers and their horses are always approachable and welcome interaction with neighborhood residents. Children are especially fascinated by the officers sitting high up on horseback, and often ask them questions such as “What is the horse’s name?” and “What does the horse like to eat?”

So if you’re walking or driving through Bay Ridge or Sunset Park, stop and say hello to Pompeii and Sam. You can thank them for helping to keep the neighborhood safe and secure. They may not answer back like the famous Mister Ed, who will “talk ‘til his voice is hoarse,” but they might shake their manes and bob their heads for you.


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