Bloomingdale man donates $20K in equipment to police

Much to his surprise, Ted Cucci started off on the right foot with Bloomingdale police after he moved to the village nearly 20 years ago.

“I was outside playing basketball with my 7- and 5-year-old, and unbeknown to me, the police were patrolling the area,” Cucci said. “Soon the cop gets out of the car, shoots a couple of hoops with the boys, then became friends with us.

“People always have that adversity like ‘Oh, it’s the cops.’ But they really do have that community friendship attitude here.”

Cucci has been a strong supporter of the department ever since. And this month, he and his eldest son, Nick, donated an automated license plate recognition system to the department that costs more than $21,000.

The four-camera system is mounted on one squad car and can capture thousands of digital license plate images an hour.

“All you have to do is drive it around and the computer system will recognize stolen vehicles, drivers reported armed and dangerous, expired registration and it could even help with an Amber Alert if you put in the specific plate you’re looking for,” Chief Frank Giammarese said. “The technology is incredible and it’s a great tool.”

The system also can save data so officers can go back to examine their findings if a new lead emerges in a case. The squad car that has the system is now used during every shift, officials said.

Giammarese said a system like this was “some sort of hope or dream” until the Cuccis stepped up. Ted Cucci even did his own research to understand how the equipment could help police and to ensure his donation covered the cameras, installation, repairs, warranties and — most important — officer training.

“I only know the tip of the iceberg of the potential of that system,” said Cucci. “But it’s a phenomenal tool and I think they deserve it.”

Cucci hopes his donation, which was supplemented with $2,000 from his 24-year-old son, Nick, will inspire others to give back to their communities in whatever way they can.

His family especially admires police and firefighters, he said, because those men and women must always be willing to risk their lives.

“When you are in trouble and call 911, you have no idea who is coming to save your life and put their life on the line to protect you and your family,” Cucci said. “It can be a thankless job and our family is very respectful of police and firefighters.”