By MIKE CAPUTO
When Frank Mazza and John Spirou took over leadership roles 23 years ago, there was a police officer assigned to each of the 26 PAL units across Nassau County. Cuts made by the county over the subsequent two decades eventually reduced the number of officers to eight.
Now, as the county faces a budget deficit as high as $150 million, County Executive Tom Suozzi has called for a reorganization of the police force to prepare for possible department layoffs. The plan includes the reassignment of at least two more PAL officers, cutting the total to six.
One of those facing reassignment is Kevin Maffei, the officer for the East Meadow unit, Spirou and Mazza said. "Every time there's a fiscal crisis, they go after the kids," said Spirou, the unit's vice president. "I don't understand that."
According to Spirou, Maffei was assigned to the East Meadow PAL in 2007, but was also responsible for the Uniondale and West Hempstead units. Maffei could not be reached for comment.
Nassau PAL leaders launched a campaign last week urging residents to send letters and e-mails to the county in opposition to the officer cuts, appealing to Suozzi to keep the officers on board.
The East Meadow PAL, which serves about 2,000 children, offers five youth sports programs - football, basketball, lacrosse, bowling and track and field. The football program, which is heading into its third year, has already produced championship-caliber teams. PAL also offers programs for children with disabilities.
PAL officers are responsible for daily administrative duties including registration, accounting and permit applications. More important, Spirou said, they are visible representatives of the organization. "When there is a police officer present and he has to explain something to a parent, it's better coming from him than a volunteer or a regular guy," Spirou said. "He's an authority figure."
Although the police officer earns a salary from the county, all PAL activities are funded by registration fees, and the rest of the staff is volunteers, explained Mazza, the East Meadow unit president.
"I feel that they will always be needed, and their presence is a positive," Mazza said of the officers. "The program should be backed by the police officers."
Like many of their colleagues around the county, Mazza and Spirou continue to volunteer for the PAL despite the fact that it has been years since their own children took part in the programs. "I see kids that came through the program now have children and they're back, and that to me is an accomplishment," Mazza said.
Spirou noted that PALs play a crucial role in a community, keeping children active and out of trouble. In addition to cutting police officers, PAL leaders worry that the county could eventually dip into funds collected through registration fees and spend them in ways other than what they were intended for. Such a move could put an end to the program, Spirou said. "You're turning 40,000 kids onto the street in Nassau County," he said.
The East Meadow PAL competes on fields and in gyms at schools and parks across the community. Information is available at (516) 433-4030. The office is in the Special Activities Building at Eisenhower Park, next to Parking Field No. 8.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
