BUDGET FIX: ELIMINATE MOUNTED UNIT?

To the Editor,

It’s interesting to note that Westchester County eliminated their mounted unit several years ago, claiming a million dollar a year savings. In the interest of efficiency the Rockland Sheriff’s Mounted Unit needs to be eliminated. Police departments across the country have eliminated their mounted units in the interest of efficiency. In Rockland, by their own admission the Sheriff’s Dept. has funded the mounted unit by transferring funds from one unit to another thus hiding the real cost of the mounted unit.

Mounted units do not patrol in foul weather. Think of all the lost patrol time through the winter months when we are hit with all those snow storms. Yet personnel must still maintain and care for the horses instead of patrolling our streets. In place of mounted units Atvs can be used for off road patrol, or other all-terrain vehicles, which do not require daily care and maintenance.

Sincerely,

Dave Veraja
Sloatsburg