Page 39 - November 2017 Magazine

Controlling the horsing around
The Mounted Unit had a tough job even before the first fans started showing up for World Series Game 3. The plan called for 24 Patrol Officers, four Sergeants and one Lieutenant to be working the ballpark. But 13 officers were out on furlough the first night Series played.
Still, the Chicago Police Mounted Patrol has a way and means that provides a powerful presence. Some would explain that’s the presence of the horses. They are known to have a calming effect on crowds.
“And everybody loves horses,” pointed out Mounted Officer Mike Clisham, who has been with the unit since 1994 and worked the World Cup at Soldier Field one week after completing Mounted school.
But it’s more than that.
“Even just standing here, people see us and can tell they are not going to be able to get past us long before they get up to the officers on foot, so they already start spreading out,” Clisham continued. “So we’re able to convey a message to the crowd much easier, and peo- ple are always looking at the horses, so they are paying attention to the horses where they might not be paying attention to the police officers on foot.”
Clisham has worked many of the major sports details with the Mounted Unit, including the night the Cubs beat the Dodgers to advance to the World Series. He noted how few incidents occurred, if any.
“A few rowdy fans at the end of the night,” he de- scribed. “But I don’t think they were true Cubs fans.”d
Mounted Unit O cer Mike Clisham.
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NOVEMBER 2016 39