Many residents, from time to time, see the Mineola Auxiliary Police Department (MAPD) vehicles patrolling the village streets. However, what their responsibilities are may sometimes be overlooked.

The unit is led by Auxiliary Police Chief Mike Spae, a 37-year veteran of the force, who ensures that the department serves the community well by making its neighborhoods safer.

Spae said the most rewarding part of the job is that it gives you an opportunity to give back to the community. "It's great that they're able to give something back," said Spae about the department's volunteers.

It is a job that has a longstanding tradition. During World War II, Auxiliary Police was called Civil Defense and its focus was testing air raid sirens and practicing in case of a blackout. It then changed to Civil Preparedness. However, its responsibilities remained the same in addition to its assistance in the implementation of fallout shelters.

During the 1960s, the unit was called Crime Prevention and its focus was to prevent crime, which is exactly the goal of today's Auxiliary Police.

The MAPD is the "neighborhood watch," said Deputy Chief Stu Goldstein. As devoted volunteers, auxiliary police members' main priority is to prevent crime and any other distress that may occur in the village.

Like a police officer, auxiliary police volunteers do go through classroom training. A big difference is that auxiliary police members are not taught about firearms.

Any county resident between the ages of 17 and 65 is eligible to become a member of the auxiliary police. However, all applicants must attend the Nassau County Police Academy, where they are taught about the police force, the use of a baton, also referred to as a night stick, first aid, CPR and self-defense.

Those members between the ages of 17 and 21 are assigned to work the radio communication unit. Those over 21 are allowed to work on active patrol, driving in an auxiliary police car patrolling the village. Although members do not see monetary benefits, those in college studying criminal justice can obtain between two and three credits if they attend the academy for a training program.

The MAPD, unlike the fire department or ambulance corps, does not have a number of incidents they can definitely say they prevented. That's because their objective is to act as a deterrent to those who might take liberties if their presence was not in the village, said Goldstein.

Just by patrolling Mineola's numerous roads, the MAPD can prevent such incidents as burglaries, attacks or fights, Goldstein said. It is not necessarily the idea of encountering and handling a situation that keeps crime at a minimum. It is the idea that the MAPD is out there and watching out for residents, the deputy chief said.

"It is impossible to say how many crimes I have prevented by just riding around," said Goldstein.

On one night, Goldstein drives the patrol car, making sure there aren't any situations that require attention. At one point, he points over to an area that is somewhat covered. "There could have been a group of kids hiding in those bushes over there waiting to attack that neighbor," he speculates for the purposes of making his point. "But just by riding past them now, they most likely will not do it and run away."

The way the MAPD handles certain situations in based upon the situation, said Spae. The unit can handle certain situations themselves with the help of the village, said Spae. "If a crime were committed, the county would be notified and an [police] officer would be asked to respond to scene and effect an arrest," he added.

An auxiliary police officer could effect an arrest but would want to avoid making one if possible, said Spae. Because the county police are readily available, they can be called by an auxiliary police officer by phone or by radio. "We going to get a hold of them somehow," said Spae.

The MAPD can be thought of as a silent security system. Just knowing they are there may have, in fact, cut down on the number of incidents that may have occurred in Mineola.

"Anything can happen at any time. It's not crime free," said Goldstein. However, with the MAPD on the job, residents may be able to feel safer.

Officers generally patrol one to a car with a couple of cars patrolling at a time, said Spae. "They're essentially not alone," he said.

The volunteer officers are usually available in the evening and from 5 p.m. to midnight is when most of the patrols take place.

The Mineola Department is currently comprised of approximately 12 members and six vehicles. Sometimes, the department will lose members who pursue a career in law enforcement after getting some of their training with the auxiliary police. "That certainly hurts us," said Spae. "Recruitment is a constant thing."

Those who may be interested can contact the Mineola Auxiliary Police at 522-5390