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Home > Blogs > West Chester News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > February > 10 > Entry
Beating a dead horse?
The decision was final months ago, even (in some respects) during the interview process for a new chief in November.
But, residents of West Chester Twp. and surrounding communities pleaded with local leaders Tuesday, Feb. 10, to save the West Chester Mounted Patrol.
West Chester Twp. Police Chief Col. Erik Niehaus has said he will disband the four-member unit in March, and place those officers in more traditional police roles.
He said the decision comes down to dollars and cents and the effectiveness of the mounted patrol in a community like West Chester Twp.
Still, supporters urged township trustees and Niehaus to reconsider, saying the unit improves visibility and raises the quality of community policing — especially in large crowds — and that the decision was made in haste.
“The expense argument, I don’t buy it,” said Jeff Schreiber, owner of the Liberty Twp.-based Touch of Class Farm that houses the police department’s equines. “And I think a lot of the citizens in West Chester don’t buy it either.”
Schreiber also said he believed neither Niehaus nor trustees were behind the move, saying, “I kind of wonder who’s actually making this decision…”
He declined to elaborate more specifically.
Niehaus said though the cost of the mounted patrol was a consideration, he had a tougher time ignoring other numbers.
Niehaus said the traditional police officer handled approximately 1,200 calls for service in 2008, compared to just 139 for the entire mounted patrol unit during the same time period.
“When I saw what our traditional officers can provide and what our mounted patrol officers can provide, there’s a deficiency,” Niehaus said.
West Chester Trustee President Catherine Stoker said difficult economic times have forced the township’s collective hands to do more with less and take advantage of available bodies.
She noted the township’s last police levy in 2001 continues to be the primary funding source for the department nearly three years after it was set to expire; and expecting voters to support requests for additional levy funds is not an option.
Niehaus said he will explore other avenues to raise community awareness, including implementing programs in local schools and in neighborhoods.
He also said the township is exploring using other community’s mounted patrols for larger outdoor events such as the annual Boulevard Bash.
Niehaus also said three of the four horses are planning to be sold to the officers for $1 each (per Ohio Revised Code), and that the remaining horse could be donated to another community.
So, here’s the question: Were local residents beating a dead horse Tuesday night? Should they have spoken up sooner? Were there other options for a chief and trustees who say their hands are tied thanks to a brutal economy?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: West Chester Twp. Government
Comments
By CC
February 11, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
I guess Mr.Schreiber is worried about the rental fee he will lose.
By D
February 11, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
if money is the issue, why sell the horses to police officers for $1 and not on the open market
By thoth
February 12, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
Because their required to allow the officers to purchase the horse, or dog for that matter, when they “retire” then from service. That’s where the “per Ohio Revised Code” comes in. Dave could have explained that better in his post, but you’ll find it related news articles.
By WCGWD
February 13, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
This looks to be the final stake in the heart for former Police Chief Bruce. Bruce was an advocate of this form of policing. And now that he is gone, Safety Director Jim Detherage and Twp Administrator Judy Boyko can finally stomp on Bruce’s efforts. It’s no secret that those two didn’t like Bruce. They couldn’t argue with Bruce’s facts on the mounted patrol then. And they used Niehaus and his appointment to police chief as an opportunity to disband it.