Roosevelt Island's Loses Sole NYPD Officer and Position Will Not Be Replaced By 114th Precinct - January/February Public Safety Statistics Available

 Image From NY Daily News

Earlier this week I learned that Roosevelt Island's only assigned NYPD officer would no longer be patrolling our Island and that another NYPD officer would not be assigned as a replacement. During Monday's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee meeting, RIRA President Matt Katz reported that it was his understanding that this was true.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for comment on Monday but have not yet received a reply though earlier this morning, RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez indicated that he would be providing a statement on matter soon. In the past, statements regarding Roosevelt Island Public Safety issues would have come from Public Safety Department Director Guerra but I have been advised that from now on all public statements issued from RIOC staff will be coming from Mr. Martinez.

RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem provided the following information on the matter:

Director Guerra informed me that Officer Fernandez, the Officer assigned by the 114th precinct to patrol Roosevelt Island, had requested a transfer and has now been reassigned. Chief Guerra also informed me that because of our low crime rate Officer Fernandez will not be replaced. A couple of months ago when I discussed this possibility with a Lieutenant from the 114th I was assured that although Officer Fernandez' choice of vehicle made him an ideal fit for patrolling Roosevelt Island, the 114th would continue to patrol Roosevelt Island as part of Sector Robert.

In the event that we find that adequate coverage is not provided by the 114th, endangering the continued safety of Roosevelt Island residents, RIRA's President Matthew Katz and myself will voice the Island's concern to those in a position to assist us. We will continue to advocate for a police presence on Roosevelt Island as we have in the past. I am confident that Chief Guerra and our 38 Public Safety Officers will continue to maintain law and order on the Island, but I am also aware of how important Officer Fernandez was to their team and to this community. The Public safety Committee would like to thank and express our appreciation to Officer Fernandez for his years of dedicated service in our community, and wish him success in all his future endeavors.

Below are the January/February 2011 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Call for Services/Responses and Index Crimes statistics.

Feb Public Safety Stats

Roosevelt Island is in Queens 114th NYPD precinct.

The 114th Precinct is located in the northwestern portion of Queens patrolling the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside, and Jackson Heights. A very large Greek community resides within the confines of this precinct. There are single and multiple family homes, including four housing developments. The primary commercial locations are Steinway Street, Broadway, Ditmars Blvd, 30th Avenue and Northern Boulevard.

The most recent crime statistics for the 114th are here.

UPDATE - 3/24 - Officer Fernandez sends a message to the Roosevelt Island community.