Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 1, 1993                   TAG: 9305010077
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DOWNTOWN ROANOKE TO GIVE MOUNTIES A TRY

Shoppers will have the opportunity today to see what mounted police would be like in downtown Roanoke.

Two mounted officers from Virginia Beach will patrol in downtown to demonstrate the advantages in maneuverability, visibility and crowd control of mounted police.

They will assist in law enforcement during the Virginia Championship Chili Cook-off, the Strawberry Festival, Roanoke Catholic School's Carousel, the Shriners' Parade and the West End Association Neighborhood Festival events in Roanoke today.

The Virginia Beach officers were invited by Downtown Roanoke Inc. and city officials.

The downtown organization has agreed to pay all of the costs for the horses, saddles, food, stables and other expenses for two mounted officers in Roanoke,.

Kim Kimbrough, executive director for Downtown Roanoke, said that a tax-exempt foundation will be created to finance the mounted police.

Start-up costs are estimated to be $23,000, with an annual operating cost of $8,000.

The city would pay the salaries and related expenses for the officers on horses, the same as it does for all other officers.

Because of tight finances, City Manager Bob Herbert said, the city can't afford to pay for the horses and their upkeep.

Herbert said it wouldn't be appropriate for the city to begin new programs at a time when it is holding the line on other services.

Herbert said he has asked Downtown Roanoke officials for answers to several questions, including the care of the horses and the impact on police services.

Herbert said he won't make a recommendation to City Council until his questions are answered. Herbert said he might be ready to make a recommendation by next week when council will have its budget-study meetings.

Officers now on the force would be trained for the job and no new positions would be created.

Kimbrough said there would be no reduction in police services downtown. The mounted officers would replace one downtown officer who now is on foot patrol and another who uses a small three-wheel vehicle.

Kimbrough believes the mounted police would enhance police service rather than reduce it, as some people fear.

Mayor David Bowers said he will back the plan if private funds pay most of the cost.

"I'm going to push for it. It will have my support," Bowers said.

If mounted officers are approved for Roanoke, Kimbrough said, they would not begin until December because they would have to be trained, and the horses and equipment bought.