Boston bids farewell to horseback cop unit

BOSTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Boston City Council President Michael Ross said the official dismantling of the city's horseback police unit marks an end to a respected tradition.

The Boston Herald said Friday four of the members of the horseback unit, the oldest of its type in the country, were honored by the city Thursday for their loyal service.

"This is a sad day for the city of Boston," Ross said.

The horseback unit was tabbed for dismantling by Police Commissioner Edward Davis to trim $700,000 annually from the city's budget.

The Boston Globe said Mayor Thomas M. Menino also had kind words for the nine police officers involved with the horseback unit.

"I've always been a fan of the mounted unit, but I heard from neighborhood folks that they want more officers on our streets," the mayor said. "So we've reassigned those nine officers and we're putting them back on the street."