Venice Mounted Police?

Once is a fluke, twice is curious, but thrice is a pattern, which is why I feel the need to record my observation of what I have dubbed the Venice Mounted Police. Since Venice is technically protected and served by the LAPD, that's probably a misnomer. Let me explain. Venice is in part known for its "local flavor." We sometimes translate the "flavor" by explaining that in addition to yoga-loving hipsters (and owners of overpriced bungalows) and surfer beach bum types there is an ever shifting population of transient passers-through, some of which are up to what we call "no good," but many of whom are just those who have fallen through many of society's cracks (no pun intended, I swear). On three occasions this week - and twice on Abbot Kinney Boulevard -- I've seen teams of mounted police engaged in what looks like pretty mellow conversations with various crack passers-through. Maybe the police feel that this is a more effective approach than the cruise-and-interrogate drill I see on the beach sometimes. Maybe the horses help people feel less intimidated? One of the questionees I saw was even petting one of the horses heads. Is this more effective than the bike-riding police? I'm not sure, but in any event it looks like Venice has its own stable of peacekeepers, at least this week.