Maintain the Cleveland Mounted Police Unit!

The Nation's Oldest Mounted Police Unit
Over 100 Years Old!

The severe financial deficit currently facing the City of Cleveland recently forced Mayor Campbell to propose cutbacks in order to reduce expenses. The Cleveland Mounted Police Unit WAS scheduled for elimination as part of these cutbacks.

Woods King (whose grandfather helped provide the Unit’s stable) and Bill O’Neill (whose grandfather helped provide the Unit’s horses), together with a number of Greater Cleveland citizens, representing both the public and the private sectors, have joined together to try to save our Mounted Police. We ask your help in this effort.

Cleveland’s Mounted Police are the oldest continuing mounted police unit in the nation, dating back to the early 1900’s. They serve the citizens of our community daily in crowd control, goodwill generation in the neighborhoods, and a variety of other police patrol activities. The Unit also participates in welcoming visiting dignitaries and in various other local functions.

But its reputation goes well beyond northeastern Ohio. Our Mounted Police have paraded in Presidential Inaugurations in Washington D.C., won a World Championship in Chicago and represented the United States in an international competition in Mexico City.

The Unit comprises eleven well-trained horses and seven fine police officers. It is housed at the King-Otis Stables on East 38th Street, overlooking Lake Erie.

From time-to-time in the past, our Mounted Police Unit has been threatened because of budget deficits in the City of Cleveland. But each time, concerned citizens rallied to its rescue and found ways to tide the Unit through. We are confident we can do it again.

Mayor Campbell’s administration recognizes the many citizens who have voiced their concerns for the future of the Mounted Unit, and appreciates their help in supporting efforts to maintain the Unit. By maintaining the horses during this time of financial hardship, the administration hopes to completely restore the Unit as the economy improves and the City costs are better controlled.

The private funding effort (to fund the horse expense) is being funneled through the Cleveland Mounted Police Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity which has been in existence since 1985 and is exclusively dedicated to supporting the Cleveland Mounted Police. Its Trustees are Woods King III, John D. Donahey, retired police officer Captain Carl Delau, and Robert W. Donahey. This funding effort is being assisted by KeyBank, National City Bank and Bank One, each of which has volunteered to receive donations at their local branches for deposit to the Charitable Trust.

Thus far, the private funding effort has received offers for the donation of some services. The remaining horse expenses such as feed, bedding, supplies and etc. are as little as $10.00 a day per horse!

HELP US FUND THE CLEVELAND MOUNTED POLICE HORSES FOR THE NEXT YEAR! We have each committed to do our part. We ask you to consider funding as many horses for as long as you can.

Please help us now. Mail your check payable to the Cleveland Mounted Police Charitable Trust, make a donation at any National City, Bank One or Key Bank location. You may also mail a contribution to: Friends of the Cleveland Mounted Police, 1310 East 49th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114- better yet - make your contribution now - right here on our site.

Make your Donation Now. Enter amount you wish to contribute below then click the PayPal button: $

Many thanks on behalf of the noble horses and the dedicated officers who comprise the Cleveland Mounted Police Unit, and all the citizens of Greater Cleveland who benefit from its presence in our city. Working together, we are confident that we have the "horsepower" to succeed.

Woods King III,

William J. O'Neill, Jr.,

And The Entire "Save the Mounted Police" team

Read the article in the Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004 Cleveland Plain Dealer, here.

 

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