By Police1 Staff
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota police department has disbanded their motorcycle and horse-mounted units over officer safety concerns.
According to MSN, the St. Paul department pulled its two-wheeled and four-legged units because of the rise of distracted drivers.
Over the past two years, over 500 crashes involving pedestrians and bicycles have been reported, with a high number caused by distracted driving. Fifteen incidents with motorcycle units have been reported within the past four years.
Although safety is a major factor, the decision to disband also came from the increase in service calls requiring a higher number of officers in cars. Officers in the motorcycle and straddling units will be reassigned to patrol vehicles.
Three of the officers pulled from the straddling unit will specifically target a crack down on distracted drivers.