Only days prior to NYC tragedy, Toback donated 15 bullet-proof vests to Nassau Auxiliary cops

Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) on Monday presented the Nassau County Auxiliary Police with 15 new bullet proof vests, only days before the New York City tragedy in which two unarmed New York City auxiliary police officers were shot to death by a gunman who had just shot a counterman to death at a pizzeria in the West Village. Auxiliary police wear uniforms, but are not issued bullet proof vests.

Toback presented Nassau County Auxiliary Police Officers with the vests, in response to a request from one of the officers who had expressed his concern that the Auxiliary Police did not have the protective vests.

“At a cost of $1,000 apiece, I think it is well worth it to give these volunteers a little more protection and reassurance while they put their lives on the line for their communities,” Toback said.

Legislator Toback funded the purchase through Community Revitalization Project funds.

“I will be speaking to the police department about how we might help to properly equip all our auxiliary police officers,” Toback said.