http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-29144448.apds.m0812.bc-ct-fea--apr29,0,7843503.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire
Associated Press
April 29, 2004
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- What has four legs, likes carrots, attends events at the Arena at Harbor Yard and wears a badge?
Each of the six horses in Bridgeport Police Department's Mounted Unit.
These four-legged officers are considered vital for crowd control and preserving law and order, city and police officials say.
Now, they're getting a helping hand.
Sgt. John Cueto, head of the horseback unit, is helping to organize the "Friends of the Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit," a nonprofit group that would be able to solicit and accept donations for the unit.
The two-year-old, Westport-based EQUUS Foundation, dedicated to helping horse- and riding-related charities, has included the mounted unit among its grant recipients.
"We can hopefully guarantee the longevity of our unit," said Cueto, who is also head of police fiscal services. "We want to form the group so we can accept the award."
Although he does not know how much the unit will get, "We would be grateful for anything," he said.
James O'Donnell, a Bridgeport lawyer, is working for free to submit the paperwork to create the nonprofit group. Cueto hopes by June to gain approval for the group, which would have a board of directors.
Police Capt. Adam Radzimirski, who heads the department's special operations division and oversees its animal units, has been instrumental in helping create the nonprofit friends group, Cueto said.
The six-horse, six-officer mounted unit was established in 1998, Cueto said.
Lynn Coakley, EQUUS president, said the foundation distributed $100,000 among seven charities last year, its first disbursement. This year, 13 charities seek donations, she said.
The city provides the riding gear, such as saddles and reins, and food and veterinary care for the horses, Cueto said.
But the horses have received other items through donations.
The Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport raised money and donated time and services to the unit after it caught the eye of a club member at last June's Irish Festival.
The club recently gave the unit an electronic grooming kit, used to vacuum dirt from the horses during the winter, when they cannot be bathed.
Both Police Chief Wilbur L. Chapman and Mayor John M. Fabrizi support the unit.
"It is good for Bridgeport," Fabrizi said.
The unit's primary job is crowd control, but it has other benefits, he said.
"They're good for the younger people to see. (People) get to meet police in a non-confrontational atmosphere," Fabrizi said.
Chapman said a group similar to the Hunt Club raised funds for the New York City Police Department's mounted unit. Chapman used to work for that city's department.
"We certainly appreciate their civic-minded generosity," he said, regarding the Hunt Club.
Chapman added that his goal was to give the unit more responsibilities beyond, for example, marching in parades for show.
He praised Cueto for accomplishing that feat.
Three horses are on patrol daily, except on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when they have days off, Cueto said.
Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press