The last thing people behind the wheel in Sherwood Park expected to see on Thursday morning was a horse waiting at a red light.
Even in the pouring rain, people pulled over to take pictures.
Const. Jenn Burgoyne, with the Strathcona County RCMP, says she is used to this reaction.
For the past year, she’s been riding her own horses out on the open pavement.
Burgoyne is a member of the RCMP Mounted Riders program. Typically, horses are used for ceremonial events and the RCMP Musical Ride, but for Canada’s 150 celebration, Burgoyne saw an opportunity to use horses for community policing.
“At first I was a little surprised at how excited people were to see the horse,” Burgoyne said.
“We’ve got people that say their friends called them or they saw it on social media that the horses were out, and they came out driving around just to find the horse.”
Other members in the detachment and eight horses have been used for the neighbourhood patrols.
Burgoyne said she exclusively rides her four-year-old Canadian mare, Aloise.
“Her and I are pretty close,” Burgoyne said. “She absolutely loves her job.”
Within seconds of trotting into the Home Depot parking lot, people flocked to the pair.
“When you’re driving around you don’t get a chance to really talk to people in your car as much as you’d like to.
“It simplifies everything, it really does.”
Aloise stood calmy as people approached to say hello and give her a pet.
“She loves the attention from people when they come up and start petting her.”
Over the past year, Aloise and the other horses have visited elementary schools and seniors’ homes.
Other RCMP detachments from across Alberta have been calling Burgoyne and requesting the officers and horses visit their communities.
There’s no word yet if the program will extend beyond 2017.
Until the New Year, weather dependent, you may be stuck behind a horse in traffic or even see them in your neighbourhood.
“People don’t really know where they’re going to see us pop up.”
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