PITTSBURGH — Earlier this week, Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval to Mayor Ed Gainey’s 2025 budget which would include disbanding the city’s mounted police unit.
Councilwoman Barbara Warwick proposed the amendment.
With there being a shortage of officers, this would also allow those officers in the unit to move to other details needed within the department.
“It’s a very tough decision for me we do have to look at it as far as having those extra police officers out on the streets,” Councilman Anthony Coghill said.
The city spends about $500,000 a year on the unit. That includes one full-time rider in the unit, 10 part-time riders, six horses, vet bills and general maintenance at the facilities.
Another city council member says the money they would be saving would help fund the newly created dept of mobility and infrastructure positions.
The unit is used for crowd control at protests, riots or big events like light up night and concerts. However, Coghill thinks if they also use the unit for other occasions, it would be beneficial to keep the mounted unit.
“I think of myself and other council members could be convinced that the horses could be used more for public engagement and PR for the police department. I could be swayed to keep them. I think they are a fantastic tool in the neighborhoods and kids could see them,” Coghill said.
The unit is used twice week for events between the spring and late fall.
Pittsburgh police and the mayor’s office both said “public safety will evaluate as council makes its amendments and determine operational impact. Right now this is a reduction to operational costs only — not personnel in 2025.”
City council will have their final vote on Tuesday. If it gets approved, they will phase out the mounted unit by June 2025.
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