Law enforcement volunteers based in Flushing will be able to better serve their communities after a massive funding allocation, a local representative announced on Tuesday.
The 109th Precinct’s Auxiliary Program will receive $250,000 which will be used to purchase new police vehicles. Assemblyman Ron Kim, who secured the funding grant by nominating the group through the State and Municipal (SAM) Facilities Program Project, made the announcement on July 10.
The NYPD’s auxiliary police program, which is the largest auxiliary police program in the United States, consists of uniformed volunteers who help deter crime through regular patrols and by providing assistance at major incidents.
The volunteers also provide traffic controls at incidents that require an emergency response, maintain order at parades, festivals and other public events, and patrol public transit hubs and houses of worship. They are trained in self-defense tactics, CPR and first aid, patrol techniques and the New York State Penal Law and must undergo a written and physical exam.
“Every day, brave men and women voluntarily risk their lives to serve our community through the 109th Police Precinct’s Auxiliary Police Program,” Kim said. “They deserve to be recognized and honored for their selfless sacrifices, and are worthy of any support we can provide them. I am proud to have sponsored this funding allocation for more vehicles for our precinct’s auxiliary unit, and would like to express my sincere gratitude to its members and to the 109th Precinct’s Community Affairs Department for all they have done over the years in working with our community to keep us safe.”
The command covers areas of Flushing, Whitestone and College Point.
