Contact: Bonnie Ayers (Public Information Office), 240-777-6530
Sgt. Brian Bates (Park Police), 301-929-2701;
For Immediate Release: July 17, 2001

Duncan, Police and Business Officials
Highlight New Mounted Patrol Service
In Downtown Silver Spring; Benefits to Public
Enhanced By Combined Horse, Bike, Motor Patrols

The only fulltime mounted urban police patrol service in the County was highlighted in Silver Spring today by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, police officials and business leaders who spoke of the importance and unique challenges of providing public safety in an urban setting.

The event, held in Acorn Park adjacent to Discovery’s Creative and Technical Center, included demonstrations of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Mounted Horse Patrol’s training procedures and was designed to emphasize the effectiveness of a combined force of horse, bike and motor patrols in promoting public safety in a downtown area.

Duncan said, “The new mounted patrol -- in combination with County police bike and motor patrols -- forms a team whose mere presence sends a strong message that public safety is a top priority of the County’s as we undertake the redevelopment of Silver Spring.”

While the schedule and areas of deployment for the Horse-Mounted Patrol will vary according to need, mounted officers have been patrolling an average of 100 hours per month since the seven-days-a-week operation began in Silver Spring July 1.

Two officers from the Montgomery County Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police mounted patrol were joined by representatives of the Montgomery County Police’s bike and motor patrols and the bike patrol from the Downtown Silver Spring Service Corps.

Also participating in the program were Elizabeth Kreiter, chief of the Montgomery County Division of the Maryland –National Capital Park Police; Montgomery County Police Captain Drew Tracy, 3rd District commander; Michael Fitzgerald of Sequoia Bank, treasurer of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, and Rob Blaker, chairman of the Downtown Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Board.

Chief Kreiter said, “We want to promote positive public relations and create a sense of safety and security in the Silver Spring business district, while helping create an atmosphere conducive to increasing the volume of shoppers and visitors.

“The urban mounted patrols are a visible statement of the park police efforts to improve public safety and enhance delivery of service to Montgomery County residents. We are proud to be an active partner in Silver Spring’s revitalization,” the chief said.

Horses offer a number of advantages in crowd and traffic control, including height for observation and strength to help maneuver crowds. The fact that mounted officers are visible from several blocks away can also serve as a deterrent to crime. In addition, the accessibility of the horses helps build a rapport with the public and generates an added feeling of safety.

Last year, the County Executive recommended, and the Council approved, funding to begin the mounted patrols in downtown Silver Spring. This year, six officers have completed mounted training.

The addition of the mounted patrol in downtown Silver Spring is part of an overall plan for the area which is being developed to enhance public safety as the redevelopment moves toward completion. The plan will be unveiled by officials in September.