By Mike Russo
A single county police officer in a PAL unit offers assistance, safety and supervision to an average of 2,000 children who are enrolled each year in more than a dozen programs offered by the Baldwin PAL - a resource deemed indispensable by league officials.
Suozzi has called for all 11 officers currently assigned to county PAL units to be moved to patrol duty and replaced by paid civilians - just as 250 police officers are set to be laid off if other concessions outlined in the county executive's emergency budget proposal are not agreed to. The reassignments were scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 13, but as of Monday, the Baldwin officer had yet to be reassigned.
According to Baldwin PAL President Bob Cuccio, the removal of the league's officer, a Rockville Centre resident whose duties are already divided among the Baldwin, Bellmore and Merrick PALs, would be a serious blow to the organization, which is already short on volunteers, but more important, to the children who are enrolled.
"A lot of people think these guys don't do anything," said Cuccio, who strongly opposes Suozzi's plan. He explained that it is the responsibility of the officer to supervise purchasing, screen volunteers, act as school liaison, obtain permits for the children to practice and play games, and often to attend games in uniform to help keep the peace.
And though Cuccio and his volunteer staff, many of whom have been involved in the program for more than 30 years, said they have the experience to handle much of the police officer's work, they don't have the volunteers to pick up the slack if the officer were to be eliminated. "If you don't have volunteers, the cop has to do the work," Cuccio said.
He described how the officer has been essential to the Baldwin PAL's reputation not only for keeping kids off the streets, but for teaching them discipline in a friendly and familiar environment. Children are more likely to listen to someone they see often, Cuccio said, and the officer's presence at the games has given the kids a different perspective on the police and a unique respect for them. Like the rest of the PAL staff, the officer is considered by many children to be a role model and a friend as well as an authority figure.
A new face - a paid civilian - may not command the same respect and cooperation as seasoned veterans of the organization, members said. Cuccio said he is angered by the thought of taking orders from someone who is being paid when he has been doing the job for free for 32 years. When asked how he would feel if he were designated such an employee, Cuccio brushed the question aside, saying that though the option has been considered by Suozzi's staff, Cuccio's involvement with the Baldwin PAL has always been about the children.
"I believe in volunteering and I believe it's important to give back," said Cuccio, who worked as a police officer in New York City for 25 years. "Because I worked in narcotics, and I see where these kids can end up, and it's not nice."
PAL prides itself on never turning any child away for any reason, choosing instead to put some on a waiting list, or even offering to put them on a neighboring community's PAL team. Nevertheless, Cuccio said, the loss of the police officer will likely result in longer waiting lists and, in turn, larger piles of paper on his desk. Answering PAL-related calls constantly during his interview with the Herald, Cuccio estimated that he devotes about 40 hours a week to the Baldwin PAL - all unpaid time - and that's with an officer on call.
And there's a limit to what he can do. "You get tired, burnt out," Cuccio said, slumping back in his chair. "I'll be honest. I can't do one more thing here."
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
