Riding along with the eyes and ears

Serving as the “eyes and ears” for the Nassau county police, the Five Towns Auxiliary Police Unit 109, under the command of Capt. Danny Gluck, volunteer their time to patrol the area daily, protect life and property, preserve public peace and deter crime.

Riding along with Gluck, a 12-year veteran, for two hours on Monday afternoon, there is the routine patrol of Central Avenue from Hewlett to Lawrence and tending to the constant offense of double parking.

However, as the fastest growing unit in Nassau County, the Auxiliary officers of Unit 109 are an eclectic bunch, ranging in age from 20 to 65, that includes a physician, an attorney, an accountant and a business owner among its volunteers.

For every 300, 500 and 1,000 hours served, Auxiliary officers receive a bar on their uniform and are recognized at the annual Nassau County Auxiliary Police Longevity and Service Awards Ceremony. “We have a handful of officers who have put in over 1,000 hours of service for the year,” Gluck said.

Nassau County Auxiliary police officers must be at least 18 years old, be a Nassau County resident, U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions, a valid New York State driver’s license, high school diploma or GED and be able to pass a physical examination, background investigation, drug test and complete a 24-week training course at the Nassau County Police Academy in Massapequa.

In April, Gluck, a Woodmere resident and HAFTR graduate, was promoted from lieutenant to captain. Besides the regular Auxiliary daily patrols, attendance at village meetings and special events in the area to control traffic and crowds, Gluck is in charge of recruiting new officers and meets with Sgt. Leslie Moulds and Inspector Christopher Cleary at the Fourth Precinct on Broadway in Hewlett to discuss assignments.

“I wanted a career in law enforcement but by the time I realized that, I was past the cut-off age,” Gluck said. “So this was the next best thing.”