Cedarhurst seeks increased security

In the interest of maximizing residents’ safety and addressing concerns raised by recent minor crimes, the Village of Cedarhurst is working with the Nassau County Police Department’s 4th Precinct South auxiliary police to establish a security patrol to augment the law enforcement already provided by the NCPD and the volunteer unit.
The patrol — which is still in the planning stage — may comprise off-duty auxiliary police officers, who would be paid by the village using grant money set aside for law-enforcement-related activities, Trustee Ari Brown explained.
“It’s not a matter of not enough policing,” Brown said. “We can always do better. The police are not at our beck and call, and certain areas of the village have had incidents over the past few years. This is to enhance the residents’ quality of life.”
The patrols would use Cedarhurst’s code enforcement vehicles for shifts lasting at least four hours, ideally scheduled at times when crimes like vehicular break-ins and damage are most likely to occur — typically late at night and early in the morning, according to Deputy Inspector Danny Gluck, the commanding officer of the 4th Precinct South auxiliary police unit that patrols the Five Towns. The squad has nearly 40 members, and is the largest auxiliary unit in the county.
“Crime is low, but there have been enough incidents where residents are concerned,” Gluck said. “Who better than off-duty auxiliary officers to patrol the neighborhood? They know the neighborhood and live in the neighborhood.”
Over the past year, there have been several vehicle break-ins during which property was stolen, and more than a few vehicles were “keyed” — deliberately scratched — during a rash of incidents this summer.
“We want to use the people who know the community, are licensed security people and are looking to make extra money,” Brown said. “These individuals are our neighbors and friends that have a vested interest in our community.”