8/20 - PSD / Youth Center Basketball Event

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Guerra
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:40:51
To: RooseveltIsland360@gmail.com;rooseveltislander@gmail.com
Subject: Please post on your Blog

As part of our Community Outreach Initiative, the Public Safety Department has teamed up with the Youth Center and will be hosting a Community Basketball Game on Thursday, August 20th. The game will take place behind the Youth Center at the Blackwell Basketball Court and feature a team from the Public Safety Department playing with a team from the Youth Center.

The game should kick off about 6:30PM. The members of the Youth Center and their parents will be treated to Pizza and Refreshments after the game.

Keith Guerra, Director
Roosevelt Island
Department of Public Safety
552 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
(212) 832-4540 Ext. 306
(212) 832-0469 Fax
http://www.rioc.ny.gov/

Congrats to PSD on Subway Pier Rescue

Base Picture Courtesy Roosevelt Islander

This weekend Public Safety Director Keith Guerra sent the below message out to all of the Roosevelt Island media outlets, including both blogs and the Main Street WIRE among others regarding the rescue effort of a Goldwater patient who decided to take a dip in the East River and found himself sucked under and trapped by the Subway Pier.

Fellow blogger Roosevelt Islander had a great post on the rescue and included pictures taken at the scene that afternoon. Subsequent to the Roosevelt Islander posting on Twitter I "retweeted" his notice on Twitter.

PSD Director Keith Guerra:

Today was a good day. In addition to watching a couple of well played baseball games by our local Little Leaguers, there was also a well attended Roosevelt Island Reunion at South Point Park.

The excitement didn't end there as we also had a Goldwater Hospital Patient jump off the dock into the East River. Sgt. Raul Hernandez led the rescue effort by the Public Safety Department. Det. John Malone lowered him onto the rocks because they couldn't see the jumper. Apparently, he was trapped under the dock. The officers were able to throw a Life Ring to him and attempted to pull him to safety. He was a bit incapacitated and could not be pulled out, so Officer David Vernet maintained control of the line while Sgt. Ramon Azular held onto Sgt. Hernandez. They maintained control of him until members from the NYPD and FDNY could respond to complete the save. All in all, it was a great job by the Public Safety Officers, who aided the other agencies in the rescue. I had left the island, but received many calls complimenting the job the officers performed. I'm very proud of them for putting themselves in harm's way to rescue the hospital patient.

Our Street Fire Boxes: A Vanishing Necessity ?

For some reason since I moved to Roosevelt Island I have been fascinated with our street Fire Call Boxes. It probably has to do with the fact that years ago I survived a fire in the brownstone I lived within while living in Brooklyn. That's another story. Anyway yesterday I noticed that Box 1915 which sits almost behind 465 Main Street, facing Manhattan and the East River, has been tagged as "temporarily out of service".

Last year when I traded emails with Public Safety Director Keith Guerra about the three stumps of former fire boxes, that sit in front of 415 - 475 Main Street, Southtown, he confirmed that usually when boxes go out of order tat they are removed. Per e-mail discussion threads on NYCFire.net I learned that the "stumps" are kept as the circuits run through them on their way to working boxes so the stumps remain.

It would appear then that 1915, which in addition to being on of the few boxes on that side of Riverwalk, may be headed for partial removal. I always iked this box as it was the classic design as opposed to the ugly grey boxes we have further up Main Street. Putting the aesthetics aside I do believe these boxes still serve a purpose. Even though cell phones are virtually everywhere there are still instances where individuals don't have one and these individuals may find themselves needing to report an incident, fire or otherwise, and these boxes are a link to our emergency services on and off the island.

PSD Arrests Little Leaguer's Father In Front of Kids; "Enough Blame to Go All Around"

It what has to be one of the most unfortunate incidents I can remember in the few years I have lived on Roosevelt Island a local parent was arrested by a PSD officer, at a Little League game at Capobianco Field, in front of not only his son but all the kids who were hoping to complete their game. The worst part about it is that from all accounts it never had to come to that.

I will not try to summarize all the facts but direct you to a Main Street WIRE article that is still under preparation for the next issue regarding the incident.

Michael Shinozaki, local resident, former and expected future member of the RIOC Board, who witnessed the events as they unfolded had the following to say (as quoted in the aforementioned WIRE article):

"There is so much blame to go around that it isn't funny," Shinozaki said. "They should have called the game [when time ran out]. RIOC didn't have the field prepared. The parents should not have been rabble- rousing. Public Safety escalated the situation. The only one with no blame in all this are the kids, and they are the ones who were ultimately hurt. They'll end up with a negative view of Public Safety, of government, and an upset memory about their summer baseball fun. They are the only ones who were really hurt."

All I can say is that Saturday was a sad day for all parties involved.

It Has Begun...17 Bikes Removed Overnight

It has begun. The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has begun enforcement of the overnight ban on bikes being parked at the subway and tram bike racks. So if you are looking for your bike (17 of you should be accordin g to the below e-mails) and you missed the whole tagging process get yourself over to the PSD office at 504 Main Street to reclaim your bike within the next day or so.

No word yet on increased signage although I keep asking.

-----Original Message-----

From: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 18:13:25
To: Keith Guerra
Cc: Estrella Suarez; Fernando Martinez; Sergeant Desk; Steve Shane
Subject: Re: Bike racks - enforcement start date ?

Keith -

Thank you for your reply. I am assuming that the statistics will prospectively be added to the daily public safety reports on an ongoing basis.

Any word on increased signage beyong the clipped laminated letters being posted at the racks?

Thank you again
Eric

-----Original Message-----

From: Keith Guerra
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 13:52:45
To: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Cc: Estrella Suarez; Fernando Martinez; Sergeant Desk; Stephen Shane

Subject: Re: Bike racks - enforcement start date ?

Eric

So far, over the last 2 nights, 17 bikes have been taken to Public Safety. One of the bikes was retrieved by the owner, without incident. There were 3 bikes that were tagged and not removed as of yet. Those had special bike locks on them and require a special tool to remove. They will be removed tonight - if they are still there.

We are noticing that many residents have removed their bikes on their own and there is now plenty of room for those that wish to use the bike racks.

Keith Guerra, Director
Roosevelt Island
Department of Public Safety

http://www.rioc.ny.gov/


----Original Message----
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 18:13:25
To: Keith Guerra
Subject: Re: Bike racks - enforcement start date ?

Dear Keith -

May I ask how many bicycles were impounded due to last night enforcement of the overnight ban? I also noticed that while most bikes which were tagged previously were removed at least or two remained which had tags previously. May I ask what caused these bikes to be spared?

Do the enacted procedures now include a day count based on the tag date before a bike is removed? I had thought this was to be.strict interpretation of no overnight parking between 2am and 5am.

Thank you,

Eric

Subway/Tram Bike Racks - Enforcement Starts Tonight

This is it folks. Starting tonight at 2:00 am bikes left overnight at the two racks by the Roosevelt Island subway station and the one rack by the subway will be cleared of any bikes not retrieved prior to that time. All bikes to be cleared have been tagged giving them notice, theoretically, of their impending removal and very short storage before being given to charity.

------Original Message------
From: Keith Guerra
To: Roosevelt Island 360
Cc: Estrella Suarez
Cc: Fernando Martinez
Cc: Sergeant Desk
Sent: May 25, 2009 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: Bike racks - enforcement start date ?

Tuesday morning 2:00-5:00.

-----Original Message-----
From: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Cc: Martinez, Fernando
To: Guerra, Keith
Sent: 5/25/2009 5:03:42 PM
Subject: Bike racks - enforcement start date ?

Dear Keith -

Does the enforcement of the bike ban on the subway bike racks start tonight Tuesday the 26th at 2am or Wednesday the 27th at 2am ? Last week Mr. Shane stated next week but with the holiday I was unsure of the exact date and the tags don't give a date other than May 18th.

Thank you,
Eric

Initial Reactions to the MP3 Event

Experiencing an Improv Everywhere event can vary depending on your knowledge of what is going on and what is yet to come. That fact certainly affected my and my family views when we settled down on the Riverwalk Commons lawn this past Saturday to watch MP3 Experiment 6. My wife and I had watched a number of videos from past “scenes” including past MP3 events. My young children had not. I purposely did not participate so I can experience the events with no preconceptions as best I could.

Seeing approximately 2000 plus individuals spread out from Blackwell House down to 425 Main Street in various primary colors was amusing. My kids commented that Red must be winning as they saw more red shirts that anything else. When the event started our kids were very amused. Not scared in any way thankfully. Although during the high five sequence one young woman did chase my 7 year old a bit and he was a bit confused but he had fun with it.

A young participant blogger, named Megan, wrote online today the following which I found most intuitive as most Improv Everywhere events seem to go for reactions of the locals. Here the locals were out numbered by almost 50 to 1 for the areas overwhelmed by “agents”:

“Since we were the overwhelming majority on the island on Saturday (participants were dressed in red, blue, green or yellow t-shirts with white undershirts), it didn't feel like we were putting on much of a show for the few bystanders around us. The few who were on the island and not participating got a lot of attention though, as there weren't enough of them to go around when we were instructed to "give a high five to a stranger" or "follow someone's every move who is not participating". In this respect I was a little disappointed with the overall dynamic of the event, because way back in 2006 when I watched the report on .mp3 experiment III there were far fewer participants than there were bystanders in Central Park, so the effect of having a "slightly too large a group acting together to be normal" as being surprising, suspicious or unnerving to more bystanders was significantly diminished. Though I imagine that to the handful of bystanders on Roosevelt Island an army of 2000 primary-colored people marching in silence across the island was pretty intense, this event felt very much like we were doing it for ourselves, rather than performing for the enjoyment of others.”

The pictures on Flickr (1,2,3,4) linked from the Improv Everywhere site are great.

A few comments I have seen and received. The Tram staff was almost overwhelmed as they were the sole direct exit to Manhattan from the Island. As the event started at 4:00 pm it hit during a Goldwater shift change and a few residents thought a greater PSD presence was needed for traffic direction purposes. I can’t comment as I never ventured South of the Riverwalk Commons.

I wonder what the 2000 plus visitors thought of Southpoint park and what their reactions would be to the FERI approved Louis Kahn design as the 360 degree views these folks enjoyed on Saturday would be quite different if the expected trees were in place. Since island residents overall are not a concern to FERI and the architects I wonder what these unbiased visitors would think. Too bad I could not conduct a snap poll but my kids wanted dinner.

Note: Link through the photos to the photographers Flickr page for that photo.

No More Main Street Bicycle Storage

5/15 update at 430pm See new post.

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Update: Re Roosevelt Island Impounding of Bikes Left Out Overnight:


5/15 330pm:

What I have been told is that the complaint has been that the racks are being used as long term storage by residents who don't want to take their bikes inside and that those bikes are preventing commuters and others from using the bikes on a daily short term basis.

There is some logic to this.

-----Original Message-----
From: RIOC Advisories
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:27 PM
To: RIOC Advisories
Subject: Bicycle Storage Addendum

While we wish to encourage residents continuing to ride their bicycles as it is a healthy activity, we wish to discourage residents from storing their bicycles overnight on the bicycle racks throughout the island.

Bicycles will be removed by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and stored at Public Safety for a period of 48 hours. If the owner retrieves their bicycle during the 48 hour period there will be no charge for storing their bicycle. If the owner does not retrieve their bicycle during the 48 hour period it will be donated to the Thrift Shop.

Storing the bicycles on the bike racks has been a quality of life issue for many residents, thus we wish to address this quality of life issue.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.


Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group



PSD Advisory: Roosevelt Island PSD to confiscate bikes left on racks overnight.

Original Post:

No word yet on where the bikes will be impounded to or whether a fine will be levied to get the bikes back or whether unclaimed bikes will be sold, auctioned etc. More later.

----- Original Message -----

From: RIOC Advisories
Sent: Thu May 14 14:49:34 2009
Subject: Bicycle Storage

Please be advised effective Monday, May 18, 2009 there will be no bicycle storage on the bicycle racks island wide between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. (overnight).

Any bicycles found in violation will be removed by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Please visit us on the web at http://www.rioc.com/

4:30am Gunfire Outside 2-4 River Road

------Original Message------
From: Steve Shane
To: Roosevelt Island 360
To: Roosevelt Islander
To: Dick Lutz / The Main Street WIRE
Sent: Apr 14, 2009 12:58 PM
Subject: FYI:

FYI:

At approximately 4:30 AM on the morning of April 14, 2009, NYPD responded to a 911 call of shots fired at 2-4 River Road. The security guard placed the call.
There apparently had been 2 men arguing outside, one pulled a gun and fired 2 shots, one of which shattered the lobby door window.
NYPD apprehended the shooter and recovered the weapon. The other person involved fled the scene and remains at large.
There were no injuries.
Public Safety responded and assisted NYPD at the scene.

Stephen H. Shane
President & CEO
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

<><><><>

Based on the above e-mail it is unknown as to what sparked the incident and until the police or PSD offers additional information it is all we will know.

During the last week I also received an email from PSD Director Keith Guerra regarding a separate incident that PSD responded to, that according to Director Guerra, is believed to have been a gang initiation hazing that took place within a building lobby here on the island and involved several youths that live here on the island.

Director Guerra has asked that residents report to his office any suspicious activity in this regard. While I have not seen evidence of this event I obviously agree with Director Guerra that residents should report any suspicious activity to the PSD or the NYPD and let these offices investigate accordingly.

Could PSD's Next Puchase be a P.U.M.A.?

Many Roosevelt Island residents have seen officers of our local Public Safety Department drive by on their Segways but now that G.M. and Segway have unveiled the P.U.M.A. how long will it be before we see a couple of these cats on Main Street? Granted the unit pictured is only a prototype but according to the article it can practically drive itself.

P.U.M.A. stands for Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility

P.U.M.A. Picture via Gothamist modified for RIOC Logo

What's at auction on eBay right now? PSD Patch

Roosevelt Island related items at auction right now on eBay includes one item: an older Public Safety Department patch. Last night the auction also included two old Tram tokens, which are pereninals on eBay. If you are interested in the patch act fast as the auctions ends on March 1st and there are three bids already. [I am not the seller.]

For you "Buy It Now" folks the following items are available including a few books, a few pictures, an old newspaper clipping as well as a miniature RI lighthouse:

EMS Bases Ambulance on Roosevelt Island

As reported earlier today by the Roosevelt Islander, Emergency Medical Sevices has decided to base an ambulance EMT unit on the island. THe unit will be housed during normal business hours at the RIOC bus depot and at other hours the ambulance will be stationed across the street from the Public Safety office on Main Street. NY1 broke the story earlier today. For more watch the video by linking HERE.

The video includes interviews with both Steve Shane, President of the Roosevelt island operating Corporation and Keith Guerra, Public Safety Director.

PSD Youth Summit - Wed. Eve at 6:30pm

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is sponsoring a Youth Summit tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:30 pm at PS / IS 217. The summit is a "forum for the youth in the community (and their parents) to hear important information about the law".

Topics of discussion will include:

· R.I. Public Safety Department
· How to deal with a Law Enforcement Officer
· How to act during a Car Stop
· Escalation of Force Continuum
· Violations / Misdemeanors / Felonies
· Juveniles -vs- Adults
· Escalation of Charges

According to the flyers posted refreshments will be served. The event is scheduled to take place in the school cafeteria.

PSD Responds to Fire at 546 Main Street

Having survived a fire many years ago where I was rescued by firemen after I collapsed due to smoke inhalation I appreciate any opportunity to thank individuals who run into a fire to help others.

According to a report I received earlier today from PSD Director Keith Guerra, four of his officers responding to a smoke alarm report at 546 Main Street (Apt 1018) this past Saturday night at about 10:50 pm found that smoke was coming from Apartment 1016, the apartment of Woodrow Deas. Mr Deas was able to open his door and the four oficers entered and extinquished the fire which was located in the kitchen.

Along with Mr. Deas I would like to thank the following Officers: John Malone, Brian Rivera, Anthony Clemente and Nicholas Sach. Thank you gentlemen!

6 Year Old Child Rides Roosevelt Island Tram "Alone"

It was bound to happen my six year old son who lately has been zoooming everywhere ahead of his mother did so into the Roosevelt Island Tram two days ago and found out the hard way that rush hour on the Tram begins before 5:00 pm when the doors closed and he was unattended during the Tram's flight from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. Obviously he was not exactly alone as the Tram was full.

He was fine and after my wife realized what had happened, she had been walking our other child up the Manhattan Tram stairs, she notified the booth attendant that he was on board by himself. He certainly is the not the first child that this happened too and we can assume he will not be the last.

Over the course of several emails with the Director of Tram Operations (Armando Cordova), the Public Safety Director (Keith Guerra) and RIOC's President (Stephen Shane) I have learned what the protocol is for handling this type of event. Simply put once aware of the situation the Tram's operator or the booth attendant is supposed to contact PSD and an officer is dispatched to the Tram station to wait with the child until the parent makes the next trip to the station where the child is located.

As I stated at the top of this post it was bound to happen as my son, like most of the younger kids, zooms into the tram every time to claim the prize of the step stool seat behind the tram operator. He learned his lesson and so did we that this one needs to be held a little closer when approaching the Tram. Good thing it was not the subway that is all I have to say.

If this happens to your kid, stay calm as the child is safe and simply let the Tram staff know what has occured and your child will be waiting for you, perhaps chastened by the presence of the PSD officer, when you arrive on the next tram.

Bike Safety Event - A Big Success !

Kudos to the Roosevelt Island Public Saety Department for hosting a sucessful first ever Bicycle Safety event!

According to reports from PSD Director Keith Guerra 244 bicycle helmets were given away to children and those adults requesting helmets and "NYC DOT & Safe Kids NYC has agreed to come back to Roosevelt Island to do it again" based on the great turn out. Again congratulations to everyone involved in this event!

Tram Circle Traffic Sign Update

As promised by Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra a new sign has been added to the Tram Circle making it clear to drivers that they must bear right around the circle when looking to make a left turn towards the steam plant and beyond. I had reported on the shortfall in the prior signage last month despite the added street marking that PSD had put into effect.

In addition PSD has moved the sign out from the circle making it clearer to drivers and ensuring that the Red Bus drivers tighten their turns leaving no chance that they would ever hit a vehicle sitting behind the sign waiting for the bus to complete its turn.

NYPD Requests Help re Missing Man

As reported by the Queens Courier on line this afternoon:

"The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person.

Dean Barnes is a 44-year-old male, six feet tall, and weighs 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and red pants with white sneakers inside of 900 Main Street [Coler Hospital] on Roosevelt Island.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS."

No Parking Spots? Blame Zip Car Event

This morning while walking on my way to the Tram I noticed that Zip Car had taken up three to four spots on Main Street down by Southtown. I am assuming this is just for temporary promotion purposes. For RIOC and PSD to agree to give up these spots when parking is already tight on this island would make no sense.

According to Keith Guerra, Director of Public Safety, the spots used by Zip Car have not been permanently assigned to them. So for now SouthTowners excited about the possibility of vehicles being available nearby will continue to need to go up to the Octagon to rent these vehicles.

Links: FIOS, Performance Art, and Dutch Schultz

The most recent local RIOC PSD Police Report is available on the Roosevelt Islander and has something about dogs sending threatening email?

According to a PR Newswire press release Verizon is again listing neighborhoods where their FIOS service is available including RI.

Gothamist reports that Celia Rowlson-Hall, a writer-director-choreographer would love to perform at the Renwick Ruin, the former smallpox hospital if it were available.

Among a listing of top ten criminals is Dutch Schultz who at one time did time at the former Blackwells Island Penitentiary.