NYPD 114 Crime Prevention Officer Meets With Roosevelt Island Residents Association - RIOC Public Safety Chief Updates RIRA Public Safety Committee Too

On November 1, NYPD 114 precinct Crime Prevention Officer Gabe Tovar spoke to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council about recent burglaries as well as phone scams involving false claims of being with the IRS, Con Ed and others.

#PhoneScam: Victim received a phone call from someone pretending to be the #IRS, demanding “back taxes” payment or he would be arrested.

Victim purchased $3,200 in gift cards per callers demand & provided card numbers via phone. #IRSPhoneScam #Scam pic.twitter.com/IZT9Ps1thb

— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) November 29, 2017

Officer Tovar advised to hang up if you receive these types of phone calls.



About Roosevelt Island, Officer Tovar said:

... this is a very, very safe Island...

The RIRA Public Safety Committee usually meets every month, often with Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus and Deputy Chief Kevin Brown.

Below is the RIRA PSC report of the October 30 meeting.

RIRA – PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Committee Meeting Minutes – 10/30/2017

Updates on Statistic:

Vertical Patrols: Statistics indicate that the WIRE building’s are receiving the appropriate number of patrols for a total in September of 937:

• Roosevelt Landings 690, 
• Island House 105, 
• WestView 97, 
• Rivercross 45, 
• Motorgate Patrols for September 385.

Crime Statistic: Chief McManus presented crime Statistics which indicated that for the year from September 2016 - September 2017 the following:

• Total number of misdemeanors decreased, 77 - 66; 
• violations-non- crimes decreased, 452 -390; and
• Index Crimes increased, 22 - 25. 

Chief McManus also reported that crime had decreased on the Island since he had started by 19% between 2014 and 2015.

Recent Incidents:

Chief McManus responded to questions related to the recent burglaries in Westview and on the recent stabbing behind 510.

Burglary was in Westview, no forced entry, perp wearing black mask. Was caught on WV camera when running downstairs, and at door station.

He was identified, and is attached to 2 other burglaries. He was identified and arrested.

The Stabbing victim is uncooperative, and is from off Island. Hasn’t provided much information to work with. There are no working cameras behind 510, (Presently there are also no cameras in Lighthouse Park, which is part of Phase II) which makes identifying where and what he was doing difficult.

Officer Training:

Deputy Kevin Brown is scheduled to conduct quarterly training. 3rd quarter training was focusing on CPR, Curtesy, Professionalism, Respect. 13 Officers were scheduled for tonight where specific reports will be used. Customer service skills are stressed.

Accuracy in reporting:

Update on steps that will be taken to guarantee that PSD Blotter accurately reflect documented complaint/incident was discussed.

Chief McManus stated that they would now provide one more Supervisor review, prior to publishing. In the past there was a 24 hour recap. The additional Supervisory review will probably make the 24 hr. turn around more difficult, but should improve accuracy.

The need for this was brought to light following an incident of Public Lewdness that occurred on 9/7/17 which had been incorrectly documented on the blotter and in the Desk Officer’s initial call for assistance as “Suspicious Activity,” and as a request for an escort.

Traffic Issues:

In discussing traffic issues in the Octagon area, as documented in Scott Piro’s report, Chief McManus reported that speed bumps were being considered and that due to the speeding, in certain areas on the Island, they would be training the PSO in using the radar guns, and are considering stepping up enforcement following the training.

The Chief mentioned that there was a new Security Director at Coler Hospital who he would be meeting with. He was attempting to create a multi- facetted approach to look at traffic control considering ways to deal with motorized bikes, etc.

Chief McManus reported that an accident had occurred down by South Park, where Off-Island youth, driving without appropriate license damaged the fence down at the park when their vehicle ran into the fence. Chief also mentioned that the NYC DOT had come out and assessed our street markings and that they would be refreshing all traffic markings.

Public Marijuana Use:

Openly smoking Marijuana in the area where children congregate appeared to have decreased, according to committee member Joanna, who assisted with the educational initiative and the creation of the signs. She requested the committee consider replacing the signs that had been vandalized, and put them back up.

Respectfully Submitted,

Erin Feely-Nahem, PSC Committee Chair

Chief McManus provided an update on the October 27 stabbing during the November 29 RIRA PSC meeting.



Below is the RIRA PSC report of the November 29 meeting.

RIRA – PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting Minutes – 11/29/2017

Updates:

Signage, street markings on Main Street:

Scott informed committee that his report on the traffic issues at Octagon would be published in the Wire shortly. Following submission of Scott’s report in October’s PSC meeting, Jack brought concerns to Susan’s attention and an internal meeting is scheduled on December 1st to look at some of the concerns, including speeding around these areas.

Training on the utilization of radar equipment needs to be completed by the PSO, which will be done through the NYPD. There have been minor difficulties encountered in getting our PSO’s spots for the NYPD trainings. The training requires field work to practice, and can take 3-5 days in the field. Speed bumps are still being considered in certain areas. Jack explained the difficulties associated with writing speeding tickets, in what can be utilized as proof.

The committee again stated that other Main Street road markings are worn out, do not match the Stop signs at certain intersections, or worn out, like on the Helix, causing safety concerns for motorists and foot traffic. The enforcement of traffic regulations for motorized bike was addressed. The Chief is aware of the problem and will be initiating more enforcement of the laws, for deliveries that come onto the Island.

On issues related to lighting in certain areas on the Island, a recently hired RIOC Administrator will be assessing all the lighting on Roosevelt Island. Committee members reported their constituent’s problems with specific areas, such as the Tram ramp, going South towards the tennis bubble, which Rick brought up.

Lorraine spoke about the lack of PSO foot patrols, in the late evening, between Motorgate, and the WIRE buildings, stating that seniors had safety concerns at night walking from the parking lot. The Chair reminded Lorraine of the PSD’s “Escort Service” which can be requested by a resident if they are afraid. Although coverage in this area is usually provided by vehicle patrols, the Chief stated he would consider providing more foot patrols in this area.

Vertical Patrols: Statistics were reviewed, and explained to the new committee members. It was noted that the appropriate number had been provided, with Roosevelt Landings receiving over 50% of the total number. Vertical Patrol is estimated to take about 2 1/2 hours for Island House.

Patrols are completed on every shift, at different times, and  different sequences, so they are not predictable. Chief McManus described the process briefly for new attendees.

Idling Cars:

Melissa raised the Quality Of Life issue she experiences at South Town, while opening her concern with possible solutions, noting signs she had seen used elsewhere.

Chief McManus explained difficulties, related to legalities required for summons/ticket, as the Officer who arrives at the scene must witness the car idling for 3 Minutes. Ideas about signage, or possibility of using Officers who are on foot patrol in the area were brought up. Also mentioned was the parking of these non - emergency, personal vehicles, in no parking areas, making the turnaround for the buses difficult. Chief McManus agreed to assess the situation.

Breezeway Parking in RL:

Chair asked Chief for clarification of the breeze way parking policy. He stated that breeze way, in the case of Roosevelt Landings, belongs to the building, and can be utilized as they see fit.

Urban American  had requested that their employees be allowed to use this area for parking. In response PSD requested that any employees utilizing this area to park should have permits to identify themselves. If they don’t have a permit they will be given a ticket.

A resident sent the Chair an email which alleged that cars were illegally parked, and that in some cases blocking service roads. Jack denied that vehicles were blocking emergency roads, and became resistant to discuss any further email topics received. Committee members considered solutions for the miscommunication and suggested that clarification of Urban Amercan policy to its tenants would possibly be helpful.

Chief McManus will assess if there is any signage needed by RIOC.

Loading Zones:

Island House has zones designated, but there are still issues with keeping it free of handicap vehicles who park there. Chief McManus stated he will work on identifying an area for Westview.

Food Deliveries:

Complaint by a resident that Domino’s now refuses to deliver on Roosevelt Island due to “harassment from PSD” was addressed. Jack spoke of the difficulty with space, double parking,  or parking in the breezeway to deliver. Jack stated that they can come in to the office and let PSD know they are delivering, so that they don’t get ticketed.

Educational Campaign on Public Lewdness:

The committee agreed that there should be a Town Hall Forum, where information on safety, updates on any specific issues or concerns can be addressed, like the forum that was held last year on public use of Marijuana in the community. Chief McManus stated that he had re-investigated the past complaints, (there were 4 reports identified of lewd acts over the past year) that had been categorized as Public Lewdness and had found that that two of the four were actually “mis-classified” as public lewdness.

In the case of the 9/7/17 report, the NYPD had closed the case as the victim was unable to identify the perpetrator. On the 10/22/17 incident, an ID had been provided and NYPD was working on identifying the perpetrator.

Educational Campaign on Marijuana use: This issue was tabled until Adib and Joanna could be present. The Chair reminded the committee that Joanna had expressed interest in replacing the Marijuana signs that had been vandalized with new ones, and that Adib expressed interest continuing the educational component of the program.

Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Feely-Nahem, PSC Committee Chair