Horses the Stars of Donor 'Thank You' Event

Mayor John Callahan and the Bethlehem Police Department gathered at Payrow Plaza on Monday to celebrate and thank donors who provided the financing for a new truck that will serve as the primary hauler for the police department’s mounted patrol.

While the event celebrated the addition of a new truck, there was no question who the stars were—Pharaoh, Raven and George—the three equine officers of the Bethlehem Police Department.

Little children and adults who were in the area while the thank you event took place could not help but stop and say hello. Among those who helped facilitate the greetings for children were citizen volunteers with the Bethlehem Police Mounted Unit who help provide care to the horses seven days a week.

The new truck, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD crew cab, allows for increased towing capacity, heavy-duty brakes, and increased occupancy while replacing the unit’s 13-year-old existing hauler, officers said.

It allows for safer towing of the unit’s three-horse trailer and eliminates the need for using an additional police vehicle when going to public events with the horses by increasing from a two- to a six-passenger truck.  

The truck was purchased entirely through organization and corporate donations by one anonymous benefactor and the following:

• Air Products Inc.
• Lafayette Ambassador Bank
• Capital Blue Cross
• Lehigh University
• Brown Daub Chevrolet
• The Bethlehem Rotary Club
• Embassy Bank

Without the help of these businesses and organizations, officers said, the unit would have been unlikely to add a new truck any time in the near future.