The PBA web site has been an important tool in helping to keep our 23,000 members informed on serious issues like contract negotiations, lawsuits and health benefits and even to keep cop killers in prison. But the site has a lighter, profitable side too, one that can help you live a better life. The site now provides a feature that will allow that tiny check the city begrudgingly gives us to go a little bit further. I’m talking about the new

section of the PBA web site.

There’s a tremendous amount of good will towards police officers out there. People appreciate what we do and have done to protect their families, homes and businesses, and they want to show their appreciation. They sometimes show it through support of our Widows’ and Children’s Fund. And occasionally they express it through special opportunities for our members and their families.

For example, two major appliance stores appreciate the risks you take in making our city safe: Bob Coccia’s Appliance Center in Bayside and Plesser’s in Babylon Village (see display ad on page 26). These stores have developed programs that allows PBA members to make purchases at their stores for near-wholesale prices, plus a portion of the purchase price is donated to the PBA Widow’s and Children’s Fund. How can you beat that?

Most appliance stores sell their wares at a 40-to-60 percent markup over the wholesale price. These two civic-minded stores will sell you an item at only 12 percent above the wholesale cost with 2 percent of that donated directly to the fund. So you can get that plasma TV you’ve been wanting cheaper than you can buy it anywhere else and you support the fund at the same time.

That goes for any major appliance and electronic merchandise. Great deals for you because they care about police officers.

The new “Offers and Discount” section is just starting to take off. We’ve already got great opportunities for vacations, rental cars, resorts and Broadway shows. And we’re in discussions with organizations that sell everything from flowers and candy to upscale gifts, which will be sold to our members at significant discounts. That could really help take the shopping pressure off when that birthday or anniversary comes around and you’re not ready for it.

So how do you take advantage of these special offers? Easy. Log onto the web site at www.nycpba.org and click on the “Offers and Discounts” box, which will bring you to the discount page. Then just click on whatever you’re interested in.

We expect to be adding opportunities all the time — so you should log onto the PBA web site frequently to see what’s new.

Note: Any member can fill out an online application to be on the PBA's e-mail list.