As last-minute shoppers crowd Wichita stores before Christmas, police are stepping up patrols, which includes officers on horseback as part of an effort to crack down on shoplifting. Mounted officers can see over crowds, spot suspicious behavior faster, and respond quickly if someone tries to make a run for it. While some shoppers are rushing from store to store, others are stopping to notice something a little different. “Our kids love animals. When they were pulling in, we saw them, and we said, ‘Hey kids, look at the horses,’” said Rader. Those horses belong to the WPD’s mounted patrol unit. They are deployed during the holiday season to help prevent theft and keep an eye on busy parking lots.
Read more: KSN-TV
