LAPD's Mounted Patrols Honored for Their Work on Downtown Streets
Ed Fuentes
Rudy DeLeon II and "Raphael" have been partners for 15 years.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — They may look a little out of place sauntering through Downtown streets, but LAPD's mounted units have proven themselves an important part of neighborhood policing.
The horses have become a common sight in Skid Row, where mounted officers have been an integral part of the Safer Cities Initiative.
"If you look at a three year period of deployment, the units took part in 3,000 arrests," said Sargent Michael Porter of Metropolitan Division, Mounted Platoon. "They have a calming effect on residents and give officers a high profile seeing over people."
Central City East Association held an appreciation luncheon Thursday for the Mounted Platoons of Metro Division. While humans wearing LAPD uniforms, boots and spurs were feeding on BBQ inside the BID's offices, their horses were in trailers parked on Crocker, patiently waiting for duty.
Temperament is important for horses that would serve on the streets. "Over at the stables, in Los Feliz, children can be near the horses near a fence," says Rudy DeLeon II, who has had the same "partner" for 15 years. "If a horse seems skittish, he doesn't pass the first test."
Liking kids has its rewards. "What a horse eats is very important,” said Porter to children herded in from nearby Para Los Ninos. “If they see us bring them carrots, they would want them all the time. Anyone want to help give the horses a treat?"
Needless to say, there was no shortage of volunteers.
General Jeff on November 20, 2009, at 05:50PM – #1
What's all this "feel good story" fluff about? I hope Blogdowntown isn't starting to lose it's edge with this soft stuff.
As a community activist in those same Skid Row streets, I have spoken in front of the Police Commission and also written in various newsletters and articles complaining about all the horse crap that's always left on our streets, as in homeless peoples' homes when the horses crap on the sidewalk. And after all these years I'm still waiting for a response as to whom is supposed to clean up the horse's mess?
Okay, let's do the math, three years of horse patrol times three thousand arrests- holy hay piles, Batman- that's a lot of horse crap left on the Skid Row streets after all these years.
Exactly what are the horses being rewarded for?
Obviously not for cleaning the streets, or should I say cleansing the streets although a lot of homeless folks have been cleaned off the streets.
And to think, I wasn't interviewed for this story. Damn.
Joe on November 20, 2009, at 05:58PM – #2
Horses in the city have always seemed like a pointless throwback to Pioneer times. It's nice that kids find them as curiosities but I prefer my cops in cars.
The photo caption sounds as if the cop and his horse have been romantically involved for 15 years. It's sweet, really. And Raphael appears to be smiling. Must be all that riding.
Sean on November 21, 2009, at 02:37AM – #3
Unnecessary ? Perhaps, we all know horse crap is a huge problem on skid row jeff. Honestly though, I know this isnt hard hitting journalism but it sounds like you are bashing cops for the sake of it? God knows THEY are the biggest problem in downtown.
jorgie on November 22, 2009, at 08:49AM – #4
I feel sorry for the horses!!!!!! What about more FOOT PATROL!? Walk off those doughnouts and Cinnabuns!
General Jeff on November 22, 2009, at 10:16AM – #5
SEAN, to be clear, I'm not bashing cops at all. I'm speaking on behalf of the homeless people that sleep on the sidewalks of Skid Row and have to be subjected to maneuvering around horse crap in order to find a decent place( if you can call it that) to rest their heads for the night.
I could not imagine living in a place without any law enforcement to establish order. That would be similar to the wild, wild, west and I am not interested in that, nor are most of the residents in Skid Row.
We mainly have a problem with "how" the LAPD does what they do, not that they exists. But to LAPD's credit, Central Division led by Captain Blake Chow and Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz have taken tremendous strides to listen to community leaders and make the necessary adjustments.
Already, the office of new Chief Charlie Beck has made their presence in Skid Row and are working with grass-roots organizations to better the relations between the LAPD and our community.
As long as respect is given, respect is earned.
I think that many others in our city could learn from this most effective practice.
Pete Malloy on November 22, 2009, at 10:58AM – #6
Mounted officers make thousands of arrests while on patrol and the only thing you can drum up to complain about is horse poop? I suppose if they were in cars you would complain about carbon emissions too, eh? Sounds to me like you just don't like the fact that LAPD is enforcing the law in and around skid row, where street crime is still rampant. Get off crack and get off the streets and you wont have to worry about a minor inconvenience like processed oats and hay. . .
Aaron on November 22, 2009, at 11:07AM – #7
Jeff, who's supposed to clean up the human feces left on the ground? Who's supposed to pick up the throw-away cardboard boxes the business owners leave? Who's supposed to pick up the crack pipes and syringes and cigarette butts and styrofoam to-go containers that I see left on the streets of skid row daily?
I'd say those are all bigger problems than a few horses that I mostly see in the street and not on the sidewalk.
General Jeff on November 22, 2009, at 11:14AM – #8
In regards to my previous comment about our community having a problem with "how" the LAPD does what they do, let me expound because some of the readers might not understand my position;
I personally have seen many times LAPD officers jump out of their cars and take aggressive action against a mentally ill and/or homeless person that didn't comply to the officers' demands. To physically force someone up against the wall isn't my idea of proper policing under the guise of respecting the community. It is simply bullying Skid Row residents, many of whom are already down on their luck and don't need the additional stress caused by the LAPD.
If someone is caught doing something illegal, does that give LAPD the right to "manhandle" the criminal? No matter how big or small the crime? Obviously they should go to jail, but if the justice system will provide the punishment for their crime, why do officers issue their own form of punishment? In some regard that's a form of double jeopardy.
If I was an officer, I wouldn't slam the handcuffs on someone's wrist and close them so tight that they cut off the circulation to that individuals hands. If they were caught doing something illegal, I could be as nice as Mother Teresa, but they would still go to jail. "Let me help you into the back seat of the police car, sir" Officer General Jeff politely says to the arrestee.
What's with the Big, Bad Wolf tactics?
Quite often LAPD officers are heard saying, I'm putting these handcuffs on you for both your safety and mine, soon after initially detaining someone. Wait a minute, the officer has a gun and various other types of weaponry and the officer is scared?
When was the last time someone from Skid Row killed an officer? Wait, has it EVER happened?
Come on, now SEAN. You sarcastically infer that the LAPD is the biggest problem in Downtown. Well, they might not be the biggest problem, but some of their tactics greatly contribute to the tension in the community which only makes their job harder in the future. That's why it's hard to respect cops. They bully people as if they are a gang themselves.
But as I previously stated, the LAPD is taking tremendous strides to adjust their ideology. And our community can respect that and hope that it not only continues, but expands city-wide.
And just as I was told by the Police Commission, the officers should be responsible for getting off their horse and cleaning up after their "partner".
I can't wait for that day to come.
General Jeff on November 22, 2009, at 12:02PM – #9
Ha Ha Ha, you guys with some of these comments make me laugh! ( i.e.- get off crack, "drum up" to complain..., minor inconvenience, etc.)
Aaron, in the different districts of Downtown, such as the ARTS District, the Historic Core and South Park, the BID's ( business improvement district) are responsible for the trash pick-up, removal of cardboard boxes and all the other items you mention. In Skid Row, the C.C.E.A ( Central City East Association) led by Estella Lopez handles the most difficult job of servicing the majority of the Skid Row streets. And I agree with you that these are more important problems, but as a community activist for Skid Row, I will address this issue equally with the many others. Keep in mind that during these tough economic times many of the businesses are having trouble paying for the BID's services. Therefore they cannot service their areas as much as they used to and thus Skid Row will appear dirtier than in recent months.
Let me say that I don't expect a lot of the readers to know who I am or what I do. Afterall, being a community activist in Skid Row ain't sexy.
But then again, I don't see "you guys" in Skid Row trying to help the situation, either.
Understand, this article is only speaking of horse patrols, so my comments were merely staying "on topic". Had this been an article that mentioned other aspects of the LAPD and Skid Row, I would have come to the table with more than "horse crap" comments.
Just like in sports, I appreciate the sideline banter. I see it as nothing more than hecklers doing a little trash-talking.
Thanks for the motivation.
Because at the end of this game I will be holding up a "we're number one" finger while looking at the scoreboard knowing that we won.
Which ultimately means that ALL of Downtown wins and the City of Los Angeles would win also. Because with a new and improved Skid Row, we all benefit.
Then, more tourism and commerce would soon follow and our great City would improve it's position as the eighth largest economy in the world!
Let's work together people!
blahman on November 22, 2009, at 07:07PM – #10
I understand the good nature of trying to reduce greenhouse emissions, but wow, horses? This would be ok in NY, where it actually rains at least 1x/wk and washes horse crap down the drain. But guess what, in LA that crap is left out to dry on top of the already smoldering pile of human feces. AND NO RAIN. This is just absurb for the modern era.
Ryan on November 23, 2009, at 09:31AM – #11
In Skid Row, Manure Happens: http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2009/04/03/news/doc49d686fe0d307991319669.txt
downtown copper on November 23, 2009, at 01:26PM – #12
The horses do a great job. Yes, General Jeff we know who you are. You are a drop out from the group bobby jimmy and the critter's. Now you go around Skid Row and hazzle the police while they are doing their job. When we detain someone not only do we have to deal with a suspected criminal, but our attention is split between the person we detained and a group of "activist" with cameras screaming at us, demanding to know why we stopped the person. That makes it dangerous for everyone involved. It is also an invasion of the detained person's privacy. Did you ever think maybe that person doesn't want everyone to know why they were detained by the police.
Joe on November 23, 2009, at 10:15PM – #13
Anyone see any statistics documenting said "thousands" of arrests in 3 years made by LAPD horse jockeys?
"Thousands" sounds trumped up for good PR or perhaps, the horses rode up to a scene already handled by squad car and bike cops?
The numbers are suspect.
aurora on November 23, 2009, at 10:21PM – #14
As someone who has shoveled a lot of horse crap during my life, I can attest that it isn't anything like dog or human solid waste. Once the sun hits it and dries it, it pretty much just turns back into hay and grain and will blow away. That said, it can still be pretty stinky and unpleasant when fist dropped and I'm sure it's not very nice to sleep near it. If the officers keep their "partners" in the street to do their business, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
It also makes terrific compost, maybe some local community garden would be interested in picking it up?
I liked the story and to me it seems that mounted police are a kinder gentler way of policing. Horse people tend to be good people.
Jasmijn on November 24, 2009, at 10:45AM – #15
I'm surprised at the negative reactions this little story has brought up. Isn't there any more serious problem about the area to get this worked up about than horse poo? Yes, it is big and stinky, but it's not a major threat to life and limb by any means. Especially when it's usually in the street, anyhow, with a lot of other stuff that would be too nasty to want to sleep in.
Myself, I like the horses and their riders. They both seem to be quite calm and pleasant-but-firm. And I can well believe that their visibility above the crowds is a deterrent to any criminal activity that anyone (= any race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status) might be considering.
Howie on the Hill on November 24, 2009, at 12:32PM – #16
Horse patrols are more for show. The best policing is done on foot, close to the people, and it makes PR sense too. Please remember that it is the police that many times stand between we the public and criminal chaos. In doing so they everyday put their lives on the line and sometimes they die in their efforts to protect us. The LAPD has done a great job considering limited resources due to budget cuts etc. They are not saints, but they are the people we ALL call when we are in real trouble.
General Jeff on November 24, 2009, at 03:45PM – #17
To downtown copper, I am flattered that you would do research on me. However, for the sake of accuracy, I'm not a drop out from ANY rap group.
I was approached years( decades) ago to voluntarily offer my bio to some unknown computer group that was creating a database for a new product called the internet. Without any prior information, I gracefully declined not knowing who these people were. So a bio( if you can call it that) was created for me.
While it has lots of wrong information, I always found it to be funny.
To be clear, I left that group because I contracted cancer and had to commit to years of chemotherapy and therefore could not continue to perform at that time.
There was NEVER any battle for control of the group. It wasn't my group, so it wasn't my place to take the lead. Besides, I'm no comedian!
With all that said, you truly don't know me. But thank you for the respect, anyway.
downtown man on December 01, 2009, at 12:43PM – #18
general jeff you crack me up! "Let me help you into the back seat of the police car, sir" Officer General Jeff politely says to the arrestee. i am positive that all these cheerful residents of skid row's streets joyfully living with mental issues and drug addiction will be more than happy to calmly comply with the police if they were just asked more politely. i am sure the last "fuck you motherfucking pig" i overheard was a misunderstanding. and i am sure the nice man who hatcheted two people with a meat cleaver just needed to be asked more politely to stop. pretty please. there is always room for improvement but stop romanticizing skid row. these aren't children that need to be taught right and wrong, they are grown men and women that continue to make the wrong choices time after time.
General Jeff on December 01, 2009, at 01:56PM – #19
Downtown Man,
What? You don't like Officer General Jeff's techniques?
Maybe I'd be better off by simply being a community activist.