Pennsylvania Police Horses to Help Protect Pope in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has been preparing for the Pope's visit on Saturday, September 26-27, 2015.  Streets are being shut down and security increased throughout the city.  As part of the security measure, Pennsylvania Mounted Police Units from various areas, including Bethlehem, Lancaster, Philadelphia and state troopers, will be helping in the city.  

On Friday, the units will be departing for the trip into the city, where they will be stationed until their return trip home on Monday.  The units went through special training for this specific event to be better prepared for whatever may come up.  

The primary purpose of the horses is crowd management, by controlling the crowds gently and firmly, moving them in certain directions.  Being on horseback gives the mounted police a better view of the crowd from above.  

The presence of the horses also tends to calm people down.  Onlookers may try to pet the horses, which helps the officers strike up a rapport with the people in the crowd.

Maybe if the mounted units encounter the Pope, he will bless the horses and their riders.  In these times, they can use all the help they can get.