ucked away in a converted garage in the 108th Police Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, is a paramilitary organization comprised mainly of homeless veterans. The Veterans Community Observation Patrol, known informally as V-COPS, is a 17-member unit that predominately lives in the nearby Salvation Army's Borden Avenue Shelter. They work closely with the New York Police Department to fight crime in Woodside, Sunnyside and Long Island City.

Commanded by 46-year-old Andres Rosario, the V-COPS patrol the streets of Queens from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. "Most of the members are combat veterans who have served in the Korean War, Vietnam conflict, Grenada and the Persian Gulf War," says Rosario. "Our expertise is now being used to help the police department fight the new urban war of crime."

The V-COPS began on June 21, 1988, and the original force of 90 members was sworn in by Mayor Ed Koch. "Since forming, the group has assisted in over 40 arrests," says Leonard Biddle, the spokesman for the group.

PHOTO: K. Huyge. The Borden Avenue Residence in Long Island City is where most V-COPS live.

Though the group has now shrunk to 17 members, the central idea behind the V-COPS remains the same. "They don't have to train civilians for the same jobs," said one of the V-COPS, who did not wish to be identified. "We've already been through military training - we know how to patrol, how to keep our eyes peeled for trouble, how to use the radios… we come with all of that behind us."

Group members do not carry weapons and background checks are performed on all recruits before they can enlist in the V-COPS. "Our job is not to act as policemen," says Biddle. "We observe. We document. If we see something that looks shaky, we refer the information back to our radio operator at the precinct."

During previous patrols, there have been instances in which the group has had their skills put to the test. "We have had situations of guys shooting at us," says Biddle. "Another time we reported someone shooting off a roof and the police responded with a helicopter."