If you are interested in making a real contribution to the safety and security of our community today, this is a great time to consider joining the Five Towns Unit of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police. The Auxiliary Police patrol in marked vehicles helping to make the community a safer place to live by being "eyes and ears" for the Police Department. They provide crowd control and security at parades and special events. They also serve during disasters and other emergencies.

The Five Towns Units is based in the Fourth Precinct and covers Atlantic Beach, Lawrence, Inwood, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett, North Woodmere, Hewlett Neck, Woodsburgh, Hewlett Bay Park, and Hewlett Harbor.

Besides running daily patrols, some of the recent special events at which the Five Towns Unit has assisted include a Torah dedication parade in Lawrence, the Inwood Walkathan; the dedication of the new Atlantic Beach Rescue Squad Headquarters, and the Kulanu Fair in Cedarhurst Park. Even on a "routine" patrol, Auxiliary officers have recently helped search for a lost child, been the helping hand for a stranded motorist, assisted the Fire Department at a fire scene, and reported an intoxicated driver.

The Five Towns Unit has played an important role in community emergencies including assisting in the evacuation of a major part of Cedarhurst when a combustible tanker truck overturned on Peninsula Blvd, helping close Central Avenue during the Herald Building Fire, and providing traffic direction at major intersections during the Northeast Blackout.

Among the requirements to join the Nassau County Auxiliary Police are: you must be a citizen of the United States, possess a valid NYS driver's license, pass a physical examination, and consent to a background investigation and drug test.

You will need to pass a background check. You will then have the opportunity to gain some experience by partnering with a Five Towns Unit auxiliary officer before the start of the county-wide Auxiliary Police training class. At the training, given by the Nassau County Police Academy, you will learn about New York State Penal Law, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Baton Training, Basic First Aid/CPR, Traffic and Pedestrian Control, and Response to Critical Incidents.

To find out more, please call the Auxiliary Police at 573-7521.