Police Mounted Unit Effort Discontinued

The city of Lexington has decided not to move forward with plans to create a mounted unit of the Lexington Police Department, after over two and a half years of planning and multiple unexpected barriers.

The Lexington City Council approved the proposal to create a mounted police unit in January 2022, and the Lexington Mounted Unit Inc. nonprofit was set up to help with fundraising. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised by private donations. Now, the Mounted Unit board is in the process of dissolving, and has promised to return bequeathed money to donors.

A press release sent by the city and police department states: “The City of Lexington has committed to providing any donor with a full refund of any bequeath or donation supporting the mounted unit, if so desired. Should any donated funds be left over after December 1, 2024, these monies will be divided equally amongst these two non-profit organizations, the Lexington Police Foundation and the Virginia Horse Center Foundation before the end of the year. Donors are asked to contact Ms. Pamela Roberson, the mounted unit's secretary, by December 1, 2024, to advise her of their intent to request a refund. Ms. Roberson can be reached at [email protected].”

For more details, see next week’s paper.