New Jersey city disbands 120-year-old mounted police unit

[The Straight Story]

The Newark, N.J., police department is disbanding its 120-year-old mounted unit this month, sending its 18 crime-fighting steeds to pasture or other cities' mean streets.

"Because of monetary issues we have to do what we have to do," Det. Josephine Santaniello, a police spokeswoman, said on Tuesday.

The mounted unit's 16 police officers are being reassigned to squad cars and foot patrol in Newark, which consistently ranks among the 30 most dangerous cities in America, according to CQ Press, which tracks crime statistics.

With names like "Chief", "Captain" and "Billy Club," some of the equine law enforcers have been shipped to a farm in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Santaniello said.


http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70A5BC20110111?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

[old mark]

1. NJ's Governor Christie has cut funding across the state for police and firefighters, including

40% cuts to cities like Newark and Camden with long histories of drug gang violence.

This is what you get when you let the republicans win...we just got one here in PA, too.

K&R
mark

[onehandle]

2. America, racing to the bottom. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. "Once Chris Christie made Governor, we overrode our limit of horse cocks."

-Anonymous New Jersey cavalry officer, 2011