Description of Unit 109

History of the Auxiliary Police Five Towns Unit

What we now call the Auxiliary Police came into existence at the beginning of World War II, when Civil Defense volunteers were organized into more than two dozen different functional Services. Among the many other Services created at the same time were Medical, Decontamination, Messengers and Chaplains.

With the outbreak of the Cold War, once again, Civil Defense was in the forefront. In 1950, the 81st Congress of the United States of America passed the Public Law #920, entitled "The Civil Defense Act of 1950" authorizing a Federal Civil Defense Program.

In 1951, the New York State Legislature enacted the "Defense Emergency Act" requiring local governments to recruit, train, and equip volunteer Civil Defense wardens who would provide traffic and crowd control and other assistance to police officers in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

During the 1950's, the early days of Auxiliary Police, it was solely organized under the various local community civil defense units, which were each headed by a local volunteer CD director. Training consisted largely of an Inspector of the Nassau County Police Department occasionally stopping by an Auxiliary Police Meeting.

Old Five Town Auxiliary Police Captain Badge

There was a Five Towns Auxiliary Police Unit formed. If you have information about this original unit, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us!

In the 1960s, the NCPD took responsibility for the Program by detailing a deputy inspector to the county CD agency as the head of the county's Auxiliary Police efforts (D/I Blankenhorn). Training began in earnest, when the Commissioner of Police ordered that each auxiliary police officer attend an approved Nassau County Police Department Basic Training Course. Eventually, the NCPD took over direct responsibility for County level oversight and direction of Auxiliary Police operations.

The 1970s were a time of increased concern about crime. One local response was the formation of a Cedarhurst Security Patrol.

As the Auxiliary Police moved into the 1970'S, their duties also changed, reflecting the concerns about safety. The Auxiliary Police were used as "Eyes and Ears" against crime. They were also utilized for various Community and County sponsored events. They assisted the Police Department with traffic and crowd control, freeing professional Police Officers for emergencies and other duties.

The current Five Towns Unit 109 was started in April 1996. 109 was started by Steven Sherman after discussions with NCPD. Dr. Sherman transferred to Unit 109 to be the first member. Sgt Jack Schraft was recruited from Valley Stream to be the CO. The next members to join were Leo Goodman and Spyros Vasilakis.

In 2006, new unit patches and car markings were ordered for the NCAPD that discarded the CD theme entirely.

Our most current history is available on the News Page

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This website is owned and maintained by members of the Five Towns Unit of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police. It is not a production of the Nassau County Police Department or any of the Towns or Villages included.