South Philly Review

Share this Story:

Fans packed in the parking lots at Citizens Banks Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, to tailgate before Monday’s Phillies-Padres game. Some were enjoying a few beers under a tent while others were playing catch or cornhole while listening to music. Officers Lee Cannady and Marquise Robinson caught many off guard as they trotted by on their horses.

“They’re beautiful. Can I touch them or no?” Stacey Selverian of West Chester asked the officers before petting the horses.

Part of the reassembled Mounted Patrol Unit, their respective horses — Steve and Johnny (or Big John as Robinson calls him) — are two of the horses that have been gaiting through the streets of Philadelphia for training purposes during special events — such as afternoon Phillies games, the Greek Picnic on South Street and the Fourth of July festivities on the Ben Franklin Parkway — which have helped to make them more accustomed to situations they will encounter in cases involving one of their main responsibilities: Crowd control.

“All the day games so far this season, we’re kind of on a training schedule,” Lt. Dan McCann said last week. “We had the horses down to get used to the crowd and the traffic.”

Not only do the horses gain experience, but the fans enjoy the sight of horses meandering though the lot while they’re tailgating.

“The parents come up with the kids to get a picture of the horse,” McCann, who previously headed the unit before its 2003 disbandment, said. “There’s a lot of surprise when they see a horse walking through the parking lot.” 

The officers chatted with people they passed and posed for many photos telling the fans — mainly donning flip flops — to watch their feet as they stood next to the four-legged animals.

The horses were calm, quiet and patiently stood still for each photo, but at one point, loud music emanating from Michael Ward’s vehicle briefly startled Steve, but Cannady controlled him by directing him to walk back and forth over a short stretch of the parking lot.

“They both seem calm now,” the Essington resident said after the horse settled down. “I didn’t want a hoof through my windshield. I have insurance, but that would suck going home.”

With the onset of the new administration, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey wanted to revive the mounted unit, which dates back to 1889, so he asked McCann, who was assigned to his office at that time, to lead the unit again. While the budget crisis postponed its relaunch, the Philadelphia Police Foundation helped to secure funding until it can be folded into the City budget.

The Newark, N.J. police department donated four horses including Steve and Johnny — named for fallen Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski and Officer John Pawlowski, respectively — after its unit recently disbanded. Currently housed in Ambler, the horses are transported to the city for their assignments until a closer home is found with a stable tentatively planned to be built in Fairmount Park.

Until then, it takes about 90 minutes to prep and drive the horses to certain parts of the city, but the benefits outweigh the lengthy travel time as their presence makes people less confrontational and helps to build community relations.

“My experience has been with the horses you can get negative situation under control faster, which will prevent injury to police and the public,” McCann said. “There’s a plus for everyone involved. It would save costs and prevent injuries.”

James King of West Chester was pleased with their presence.

“The bottom line is I like to see them here because it’s a sense of safety,” he said following a brief chat with the officers.

“I think it’s neat,” Jay Billups, of Second and McKean streets, added after passing the pair of horses on his way into the ballpark. “I know they use it for crowd control. A horse can move a lot more people than a couple of cops.” SPR

Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.

Also in this week's Police Report:
Confronting police
Dead at the wheel
One killed, two wounded
LoMo ark
Teen enters guilty plea
Serial robber on the loose