OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A pinning ceremony held by the Ocala Police Department (OPD), Oct. 17 at Citizens Circle welcomed two new law enforcement officers who are a bit more physically imposing than most.
OPD brought back the mounted patrol unit, something they have been trying to do for the past several years. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken mentioned that he has been in discussions with former Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn regarding the potential return of the unit. City Council President Barry Mansfield and Mayor Ben Marciano backed this idea, and significant effort was put into reviving one of the agency’s most favored units.
“We all know that Ocala is growing exponentially, especially downtown. We really need more of a presence down here, not just a patrol officer driving through. Last year, we rolled out our bicycle unit. Their primary focus is to provide for proactive patrols in the greater downtown area [but] they’re only out for so many hours a day,” says Balken. “We’re really looking for ways to add to that force in a manner that builds bridges and opens up a line of communication with the folks that we’re serving.”
OPD and the city aimed to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability when reviving their mounted unit, which had been disbanded 15 years ago due to financial challenges. With the help of benefactors and community partners, the unit was revitalized and is now fully funded by the community, without using any tax money.
“These horses are going to be a great addition to the force. They’re certainly going to serve the greater downtown area in trying to detect and apprehend criminals, deter crime where they can, but more importantly, to build that communication bridge with the people that we serve and help us engage with those folks that we’re trying to protect out here,” says Balken. “I think it’s a fun unit, and living in the Horse Capital of the World, it makes sense that we have our own mounted patrol unit that not only represents the police department but represents Ocala. I’m excited. It’s a great day.”
Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea shared his enthusiasm on the unit. “We have two horses, they’re going to be used sparingly,” says Bethea. “We’re in Horse Country, and we ought to have a mounted unit. They’ll be used downtown some and in parks periodically. I think it’s a great move on behalf of the police department.”
The revival of the mounted patrol unit was made possible by contributions from several key supporters. The Roberts Family, owners of the World Equestrian Center (WEC), helped purchase the horses. Other key contributors include Mr. and Mrs. Rinder, Justin Garner from WEC, and Ocala City Council President Barry Mansfield. Seminole Feed, Larsen Hay, and JV Hay are providing the horses’ nutrition, while Robert and Debbie Bull from Jumbolair are managing transportation. Additional support came from Majestic Oaks, Ben and Maureen Fisher, Cone Distributing, Cody’s Original Roadhouse, and Coast-to-Coast Truck & Trailer Sales.
“I love it. I went up to the NYPD and looked at their mounted unit, trying to get some ideas, and there’s a guy up there named Barry Gelbman, Inspector Gelbman, and I just sent him pictures of this and told him we were going to do this,” says Guinn. “It’s a big deal. The citizens love this. From a policing standpoint, when those horses come through a crowd, people move.”
Florida Mounted, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, also played a critical role in seeing the mounted patrol unit become a reality. Officers Eddie Leedy and Cheyenne Boyer on Lancelot and Merci May were ready to engage the community Wednesday afternoon.
“I actually was the mounted commander for 15 years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office,” says Leedy, who is also executive director of the Humane Society of Marion County. “Chief Balken was wanting a mounted unit but did not have a budget for it, so we had several meetings. I advised him that the community would get behind a mounted unit and help fund it, which is exactly what took place.”
Leedy mentions that the horses live on his farm. OPD rents the two horses from him adding, “There are a lot of players and donors involved in the endeavor.”