THE NEW YORK CITY PARKS MOUNTED AUXILIARY UNIT, FOUNDED IN 1996, ASSISTS THE PARKS ENFORCEMENT PATROL (PEP) OFFICERS OF THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. AUXILIARY OFFICERS SERVE AS "EYES AND EARS" FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, PATROLLING ON HORSEBACK IN AREAS INACCESSIBLE BY VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PARK PATRONS AND THE PRESERVATION OF ANIMALS, PLANTS, AND NATURAL RESOURCES. IN UNIFORM, ON WELL-TRAINED PARKS MOUNTS, WE HELP OFFICERS DETER, IDENTIFY, AND REPORT ILLEGAL OR UNSAFE ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE PEP, NYPD, FDNY, OR EMS ATTENTION. WE ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON PARKS RULES, PROVIDE DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION, AND ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE INJURED, LOST, OR VICTIMS OF CRIME. WE SUPPORT PEP AT SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS, PARADES AND THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON.