Auxiliary Cops Hailed At 114th Community Council
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

When the blackout hit last July, traffic lights went out along with everything else electrical in parts of the 114th Precinct. Police officers had to be posted at nearly every intersection, both during the day and at night under floodlights.

"We didn't have enough police officers to direct traffic," said Police Officer Steve Beuttenmuller. However, 29 Auxiliary Police Officers from the 114th came out to help keep things orderly, directing traffic and helping with crowds, during the critical first two nights, he said at the January meeting of the 114th Precinct Community Council.

"There were some very dangerous intersections," said Beuttenmuller, auxiliary coordinator at the 114th Precinct. "Even though they were personally affected [by the blackouts in their homes], they still came in. Even in the pouring rain," he said referring to severe thunderstorms on the sixth day of the power outage. "They make great sacrifices to help with events in the community."

"NYPD's Auxiliary Police is the largest volunteer police program in the country," said Auxiliary Sergeant Michael Tarris. More than 4,000 men and women contribute over 1 million hours of service each year as Auxiliary Police Officers in their communities.

From January through December last year, Tarris logged 642 hours as a NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer. "Six hundred forty two hours of community service is a lot of time," said Beuttenmuller. In recognition of that service, Tarris was presented with an award for his "sustained high level of personal service to the people of Astoria."

Auxiliary police officers, according to the NYPD Web site, "Are civic-minded individuals who volunteer to assist their local police precincts by performing uniformed patrol in their communities."

Recruited, trained and equipped by the Police Department, Auxiliary Police provide extra "eyes and ears". Their primary function is described as patrol, observe and report. "We assist NYPD in non-hazardous and non-enforcement duties," Tarris said.

During the holidays, Auxiliary Police passed out flyers to motorists in shopping areas reminding them not to leave any valuables in their cars as part of a crime prevention program.

"We are a uniformed presence," said Tarris. "We're constantly on the move." In addition to patrolling in cars and on foot, there is also an Auxiliary bicycle squad. Tarris said another function is to be on the lookout for new graffiti.

Auxiliary Police also assist in precinct identification programs, including a new program for cellphone and iPod™ registration with infrared ink.

And when help is needed at street fairs, parades, marathons and religious processions, the Auxiliary Police are there. "It's a way to really give back to your community," said Tarris.

"[Auxiliary] are such a great help when we have large events or circumstances like the blackout," said 114th Precinct Executive Officer Captain Christopher Tamola.

Tarris said a new training class begins on February 2. "We have 50 new recruits, so far," he said. Anyone age 17 and over and interested in the NYPD Auxiliary can contact Beuttenmuller at 718-626-9352 or visit the 114th Precinct station house at 34-16 Astoria Blvd., South in person.