Tapping into the community’s compassion

I like to think of Lynbrook as a place where we really care about each other.”

Brian Paladino Lynbrook chief of police

After the fire that broke out on Merrick Road on Dec. 18, displacing 28 people — nearly half of whom are children — it was only a matter of time before Lynbrook residents came to the aid of their neighbors.

The village Police Benevolent Association, with a number of officers and friends gathered in Craft Kitchen and Taphouse on Stauderman Avenue on Dec. 20 for three hours to raise funds for those who lost their homes in the Monday blaze.

The Craft Kitchen and Taphouse has long been a place of welcome for local Lynbrook police, and tonight was no different with off-duty officers enjoying each other’s company, helping to raise money and encouraging the guests donate.

Brian Paladino, the Lynbrook chief of police, and a lifelong village resident, noted that the community is dedicated to its neighbors and helping them through a difficult time is what prompted holding the fundraiser, which collected $10,500.

“I like to think of Lynbrook as a place where we really care about each other,” he said. 

He was quick to dispense credit to the PBA for organizing the fundraiser.

He said that quickly after learning about the fire and those affected Paladino learned about the initial plans.

“I walk back into the station house to Anthony Falsitta (president of the PBA) saying ‘yeah, I’m organizing a fundraiser,’” he said.

Holding a fundraiser was a no-brainer Falsitta said, figuring it would generate more donations.

“If we raise a fundraiser, we can raise more money than what we can personally give,” he said, add that the, “Lynbrook PBA has been involved in this community for 100 years … this community supports us.”

This is not the PBA’s first time getting involved in community affairs in such a direct manner.

“We ran a toy drive,” Falsitta said. “We do a food drive three times a year, scholarships.”

PBA Vice President Rob Meier noted that civic assistance is high in Lynbrook.

“There is a strong sense of community here …  Sometimes in life people just need a hand up, we’re just looking to help people out,” he said.

Paladino pointed out that — because the fundraiser had to be so quickly put together — that thousands of dollars of checks were coming directly to the village police station.

Jeff Greenfield of NGL Insurance donated Islander tickets. The local firefighter charity association donated $2,000.

“The thing is we knew the people in that fire, we have a relationship with these people,” said Sean Murphy, the inspector for the Lynbrook police, a 13-year department veteran. “We are part of the community, we know them and they know us. Whenever people are in need we help, whether we’re on-duty or off-duty.”