Update On NY State Inspector General's Roosevelt Island Public Safety Letter - Brutality Allegations Not Addressed In Letter Because IG Did Not Want To Duplicate Public Safety Audit, IG Will Continue To Monitor RIOC's Compliance With Public Safety Audit Recommendations

The New York State Inspector General (IG) sent this August 7, 2014 letter to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato addressing issues regarding the arraignment of RIOC Public Safety Department prisoners in hospital rooms. (The full background of the IG Letter is available at this August 13 post).

 Image Of Anthony Jones Handcuffed To Hospital Bed From Channel 7 News Video

The IG investigation was initiated by requests from NYC Council Member Ben Kallos (at the time, a candidate for City Council)

 Image Of Ben Kallos At 2013 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Rally

and RIOC Board members who asked the IG to investigate brutality allegations charged against the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department by members of the community following the January 2013 Anthony Jones incident.

 Image From February 16, 2013 RIRA Public Safety Rally

However, as reported last August 13:

... the Inspector General's investigation  was not about brutality allegations brought against the RIOC Public Safety department, Instead the Inspector General's investigation was limited to:

... whether sufficient policies exist to ensure the timely arraignment of hospitalized prisoners in arrests made by RIOC Public Safety Department, and if so, whether these policies were followed in the Jones case...

The IG letter noted:

 ... Because the issue of excessive force was being addressed through litigation, my office did not investigate it....

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Chair Erin Feely-Nahem commented on the IG Public Safety letter:

... We find it incomprehensible and unacceptable that the IG's letter focuses solely on the Anthony Jones incident in relation to PSD policies toward hospitalized detainees, rather than the clear pattern of abuse and misconduct of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department under the regime of Keith Guerra.

The PSC documented numerous cases of Island residents and visitors who were the recipients of unprovoked violence and unconstitutional policing over many years. These testimonies were forwarded to the IG office by the RIOC Board and Ben Kallos's office.

The posture taken in the IG letter criticizes the PSD for failing to properly arraign Anthony Jones, thereby jeopardizing a credible prosecution, rather than the false arrest and brutal mauling that almost took his life. The PSC registers our strong rejection of the narrow scope of the IG letter which ignores the victims of a dark period in Island history.

Island residents united in a struggle that led to Guerra's resignation. We will continue to fight for the record to be set straight.

During the August 21 RIOC Governance Committee meeting (full audio web cast here), I asked RIOC Board Members about the IG Public Safety letter and why it was limited to RIOC hospital arraignment policies. RIOC Director Margie Smith responded that all the brutality reports received by RIOC were sent to the IG. Ms. Smith indicated she does not know if the IG will follow up with further investigation of the brutality complaints. RIOC President Indelicato agreed with Ms. Smith's assessment.

Here's the discussion.



RIOC Director David Kraut added that though he is not a regular reader of the Roosevelt Islander blog, he knew that the IG Letter and brutality allegations were an active topic of conversation and did not wish to publicly comment as long as the "Bloggeratti" were "writing first drafts" on the topic.

RIOC President Indelicato noted that the Jones litigation was settled, RIOC did not pay out any of the settlement money and there was no non-disclosure agreement signed by the parties. The settlement payment came from another NY State entity.  RIOC Assistant General Counsel Arthur Eliav cautioned the Directors about speaking on this matter publicly and added that RIOC was defended and indemnified in the lawsuit by the NY State Attorney General.



Earlier today, I spoke with Bill Reynolds of the IG's Office about the IG's August 7 Roosevelt Island Public Safety letter to RIOC President Indelicato. Mr. Reynolds confirmed that the IG received information on Roosevelt Island brutality allegations dating back to incidents occurring in 2006.

According to Mr. Reynolds, the IG's August 7 Roosevelt Island Public Safety letter did not address any of the issues relating to the brutality allegations because it would have duplicated the work by T&M Protection Resources who prepared the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Operational Audit. A copy of the Public Safety Audit dated December 6, 2013 is here.

Mr. Reynolds noted that the IG worked closely with and strongly supports the T&M Protection Resources policy recommendations contained in the Public Safety Audit and will continue to monitor RIOC to insure compliance with the recommendation. Among the recommendations made by the IG was the removal of the former Public Safety Department Director who resigned in June 2013 and to:

... Redefine the focus of RIOC PSD from a strict enforcement model to more of a community service model.T&M was informed by the interim RIOC PSD Director that he has instituted measures toward implementing this recommendation including enhanced department leadership and supervision, increased high visibility foot post assignments and an emphasis shift way from the strict enforcement model toward a community service model. Reported results include a decrease in enforcement activity and in citizen complaints....

Click here for the full Public Safety Audit including policy and procedure recommendations which will be monitored for compliance by the NY State Inspector General.

NY State Inspector General Letter On Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Investigation - No Review Of Brutality Allegations, Investigation Limited To Arraignment Policies Of Hospitalized Patients

The NY State Inspector General not only released a report on corrupt practices taking place at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) under a prior RIOC President and staff last week, but also issued a letter regarding the RIOC Public Safety Department under a previous RIOC President and staff.

Here's background regarding the Inspector General's Roosevelt Island Public Safety letter.

Reported February 5, 2013 that current Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Ben Kallos (at the time candidate for that seat in the Democratic Party Primary) sent the following letter to the NY State Inspector General calling for an investigation regarding brutality allegations brought against the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department. An excerpt of the letter from February 5 post:

... Yesterday, the Daily News in an article titled "So-called 'peace officers' on Roosevelt Island are being sued over savage beating of 20-year-old who claims he was just waiting in front of a building" reported that Roosevelt Island resident Anthony Jones suffered fractured ribs and a pierced lung in an 'unprovoked' attack without being charged with a crime at the hands of state employees and officers of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation's Public Safety Department.

Under New York State Executive Law Article 4-A the Public Safety Department and its employees are a part of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation which is a State entity under the jurisdiction of your office.

On behalf of Anthony Jones and the residents of Roosevelt Island, I am writing to request that the Office of the Inspector General investigate the incident alleged in this article as well as previous incidents relating to the conduct of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department.

We respectfully request that any resolution to your investigation include the implementation and ongoing support for a body comprised of residents of Roosevelt Island to oversee and review the conduct of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department....

Following the February 16, 2013 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Accountability/Brutality Demonstration, Mr. Kallos again called for an investigation of alleged brutality incidents by RIOC Public Safety Department.



On February 24, 2013, RIOC Director Howard Polivy reported to the Roosevelt Island community that Public Safety brutality allegations would be sent to the NY State Inspector General for review. According to Mr. Polivy:

... I am unable to comment on any particular incident, partially because RIOC has been served notice of claim, but also because I don’t have objective details. RIOC has referred recent incidents to the Inspector General of the State of NY for review. Once we receive the results of that review we’ll take such actions as we find necessary....

RIOC Dirctor Margie Smith said on February 28, 2013 that the brutality allegations presented to the RIOC Board will be forwarded to the NY State Inspector General for review.

On August 7, 2014, almost 18 months later, the Inspector General sent a letter to RIOC President Charlene Indelicato containing the results of its Roosevelt Island Public Safety investigation. However, the Inspector General's investigation  was not about brutality allegations brought against the RIOC Public Safety department, Instead the Inspector General's investigation was limited to:

... whether sufficient policies exist to ensure the timely arraignment of hospitalized prisoners in arrests made by RIOC Public Safety Department, and if so, whether these policies were followed in the Jones case...

Image Of Anthony Jones Handcuffed To Hospital Bed From Channel 7 News Video

Here's the Inspector General's letter to RIOC President Indelicato.

Here's full copy of the Inspector General's letter to RIOC President Indelicato.

I asked RIOC President Indelicato about the Inspector General's report. Ms. Indelicato replied:

RIOC  PSD has addressed the issue of timely arraignment of arrestees by additional training, and developing policies and procedures that will ensure the timely arraignment of hospitalized prisoners.

Also, note that the brutality allegations described occurred prior to the time current RIOC President Indelicato and Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus took their positions. The current RIOC Board members were all serving during this period of time.

Here's a Channel 7 January 30, 2013 video report about the Jones incident.



The lawsuit has reportedly been settled by RIOC and the Jones family. No details of the settlement have been publicly released.

UPDATE 11:45 PM - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Chairperson Erin Feely-Nahem comments on the NY State Inspector General's Public Safety letter to RIOC President Indelicato:

The PSC will respond directly to the IG regarding this information.

We find it incomprehensible and unacceptable that the IG's letter focuses solely on the Anthony Jones incident in relation to PSD policies toward hospitalized detainees, rather than the clear pattern of abuse and misconduct of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department under the regime of Keith Guerra.

The PSC documented numerous cases of Island residents and visitors who were the recipients of unprovoked violence and unconstitutional policing over many years. These testimonies were forwarded to the IG office by the RIOC Board and Ben Kallos's office.

The posture taken in the IG letter criticizes the PSD for failing to properly arraign Anthony Jones, thereby jeopardizing a credible prosecution, rather than the false arrest and brutal mauling that almost took his life. The PSC registers our strong rejection of the narrow scope of the IG letter which ignores the victims of a dark period in Island history.

Island residents united in a struggle that led to Guerra's resignation. We will continue to fight for the record to be set straight.

BREAKING NEWS - After Many Months Of Waiting, Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Audit Publicly Available Now

Image Of 4/24/13 Roosevelt Island PSD Protest Demonstration From Olya Turcihin

Last Monday I asked when will the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Audit, originally scheduled to be released in July 2013, be made publicly available?

Today, an answer was received and it is today.

According to RIOC:

Now available on the RIOC website is the PSD Operational Audit Report, which both the Board of Directors and RIOC believe will serve as a valuable tool in the reorganization of the Public Safety Department. Many of the recommendations given by the consultants have been or are in the process of being implemented. We all look forward to working with the community to accomplish our mutual goal of ensuring a safe and secure environment for our residents.

Here is the link to report.

The report was prepared by T&M Protection Resources.

I just received the report so have not read it yet, but here is an excerpt (Page 4):

... It should be noted that during the course of T&M’s audit we interviewed stakeholders who indicated that some of the outspoken critics of the RIOC PSD are exaggerating the problems associated with the PSD and that there is in fact a “silent majority” of Roosevelt Island community members who do not share many of the critical statements and demands that have been presented as they relate to the PSD. In line with that, T&M would like to state at the earliest opportunity within this Report, that while the RIOC PSD clearly requires improvement in many key areas, the PSD is comprised of many dedicated and experienced men and women who do their best to provide professional public safety services to the Roosevelt Island community. While in fact the PSD may have been as a whole, an overly enforcement oriented organization, the vast majority of the individual officers perform their duties in accordance with the direction and training they have been provided. T&M is confident that this Report and the findings and recommendations contained herein, will serve to assist the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation in providing an enhanced level of service in a more efficient and effective manner....

Will have more on the PSD Audit after reading it.

We have seen many positive changes at the Roosevelt Island PSD following the appointment of new RIOC President Charlene Indelicato and Interim PSD Director Jack McManus. The public release of this report is another one. 

Here's video of Mr. McManus speaking before the Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee about the status of the PSD.

What Is Delaying Release Of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Audit? Further Delay Will Only Result In Charges Of Stonewalling And Cover Up Says RIRA Public Safety Chair - NY State Inspector General's Reports On RIOC Management And PSD Still Not Released Either

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Shield From RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Audit to review past practices and policies of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department was scheduled to be released to the public last July. On several occasions since then, I have asked RIOC President Charlene Indelicato and RIOC Directors

... whether the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Audit, which was scheduled to be completed and released to the public in July,  has been completed yet.

If it has been completed, please send me a copy so I can publish on Roosevelt Islander and share with the community. If it has not been completed, does RIOC have any comment on why it is not completed and an anticipated date of completion?

Also, during the September RIRA meeting, you were asked about the NY State Inspector General (IG) reports on Roosevelt Island. At that time, you said you have not seen them yet.

Links to previous IG posts here and here.

Have you seen the NY State Inspector General's Report after the September RIRA meeting and if so, does RIOC have any comment on the IG Reports as well?...

Ms. Indelicato responds that:

don't have any information to give you - will do so when I get some

During the November 7 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem asked the RIOC Board and President when the Public Safety Audit would be released to the public. Below is that portion of Ms. Feely-Nahem's testimony:

The PSC and myself in no way disregard or downplay what has been accomplished in moving forward around questions of constitutional rights and law enforcement on the Island or your role in that progress. Nevertheless, there are outstanding issues that remain unresolved and are, as it were, sitting in limbo.

 First, there is the unreleased Audit of the PSD, commissioned by RIOC and scheduled to be released this past July.

Although the PSC always questioned the Audit’s scope, which failed to focus on the legacy of abusive practices documented in the civilian complaints presented to the RIOC Board, or indicate in any way that the Officers involved in wrongdoing would be held accountable for their actions, we cooperated and encouraged our activists and victimized residents to be interviewed and participate in the process.

We have always felt that facts, once aired, and in the context of an aroused and organized community would be our greatest ally. It has been our expectation that the results would be, whatever the Audits limits in scale and scope, another factor, in conjunction with an open dialogue with RIOC, leading to positive change away from the dysfunctional policies and procedures identified.

The PSC has for several months now ceded to the RIOC Board, the respect of time. It is now public knowledge that a comprehensive draft was completed, which has been reviewed by the relevant authorities. Where is the final report? We understand that public release of the finalized audit will likely reveal a number of deficits in the structure, policy, and practices of the PSD and thus will probably be embarrassing politically to those in leadership roles during that time period. But it is better to put it out there, let the chips fall where they may, and move on. People want to know what is going on.

The PSC feels that further delay will only result in charges of stonewalling and cover up, and the political price paid will only be higher. At this point we fear that further delay may erode and damage the open and frank reputation that Charlene Indelicato is earning. President Indelicato is making great strides in the right direction with her policy of open dialogue with an easy back and forth being the norm. Only this week, when upon our review of the Public Safety Officer’s contract, to be voted on tonight, a clause was noticed which we felt could be detrimental to the development of a PSD we could all stand behind. When this issue was brought to President Indelicato’s attention, she was open to discussion. That evening I received an email informing me that the clause had been removed. The PSC sees this action as progress and acknowledges and appreciates the willingness demonstrated by both the PSD Officers Union and RIOC to hear our concern and to take appropriate action. Withholding the release of the Audit, a tool necessary for our progress to continue, will only damage and delay the positive relationship that s developing between the community and RIOC....

and the full video of her remarks.




As of today, still no word on when the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Audit and NY State Inspector General's

Image From NY Inspector General

Reports will be released to the public.

What is going on?

Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island Interim Public Safety Director John McManus, New Red Bus Stop At Sportspark, New Benches and Chairs, Motorgate Disabled Signs and 2013 Southpoint Park Outdoor Summer Movies Start Tomorrow

 Image of RIOC President Charlene Indelicato From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

The hot weather is finally here and I can think of no better place to enjoy the summer months in New York City than on Roosevelt Island. We have some great events planned for our residents and visitors and hope everyone has an opportunity to take part in the fun. You can learn more about one of those activities, the Summer Outdoor Movie Series, below. But first, a more serious matter.

New PSD Interim Director

As I have said repeatedly in the five weeks I have been President of RIOC, resolving issues related to the Public Safety Department (PSD) and ensuring the ongoing safety of residents is a top priority.

To that end, on Monday, June 17, we hired John B. McManus through a consultant firm to serve as Interim Director of PSD. Mr. McManus has extensive public safety, security, and management experience. He served as Commanding Officer of three NYPD precincts, Commanding Officer for the Operations Division, and as Executive Officer to the Chief of Department, where he assisted with personnel management, staff deployment, developing and monitoring operational budgets, and analyzing the effectiveness of departmental and operational plans and major new crime fighting initiatives. He also has served as Director of Security for the Time Warner Center and as Director of Security for the World Trade Center where he managed between 100 and 150 guards daily.

Mr. McManus comes to the job equipped to implement a community-based service model, where officers are fully engaged with the community. The emphasis will be on de-escalation, reducing civilian complaints, and enhanced support for residents, as well as focusing on quality of life issues. Mr. McManus has a background in successfully implementing community-based service and I’m already starting to see a culture change within PSD.

As Mr. McManus is serving as the Interim Director, we have initiated a search for a permanent PSD Director that we plan to complete this year.

New Red Bus Stop

We are always evaluating transportation on the Island to ensure that our Tram and Red Bus systems are meeting the needs of residents and visitors. With that in mind, we are creating a new Red Bus stop at Sportspark. Beginning on July 5, there will be a southbound stop outside the Sportspark pool entrance and a northbound stop on the other side near the gym.

New Benches and Chairs

RIOC’s ever-busy Engineering Department is in the midst of replacing the old benches on the west side of the Island with 30 brand new benches that are made of a more resilient wood. Stretching from the rear of PS/IS 217 to 30 River Road, the new benches will be perfect for relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views of Manhattan. Meanwhile, we are also refurbishing the chairs inside the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Motorgate Disabled Signs

The renovation work at the Motorgate Parking Facility has necessitated the temporary relocation of vehicles during several phases of construction. As a result, the upcoming work scheduled for August 1 will cause the temporary relocation of lots on levels 4B and 4D, which include a large number of parking spaces for the disabled.

In the course of installing the temporary signs currently located on 5D and 6D, there was a misunderstanding with the Motorgate operator regarding the placement and the time frames for installation. The disabled parking placards that are currently posted on levels 5D and 6D will be removed, replaced on July 24, and will to go into effect on August 1. The placards will be posted in areas that are closer to the elevator. The new lots will temporarily replace those in area 4D, as well as the parking spaces for the disabled that were removed from Main Street due to the construction work at Manhattan Park.

Summer Outdoor Movie Series

A beloved Roosevelt Island tradition, RIOC’s Summer Outdoor Movie Series, is back for a fabulous fifth season starting with the 2012 blockbuster The Hunger Games on Saturday, June 29 (rain date: July 6). 
This year we are screening a wide range of flicks that were voted on by residents, including The Breakfast Club (July 12, rain date: July 20), Pitch Perfect (July 13, rain date: July 21), Brave (July 27, rain date: August 3), Rocky (August 10, rain date: August 17), and Inception (August 24, rain date: August 31). In the event of inclement weather, we will announce postponements via RIOC advisories – email subscribe@rioc.ny.gov to sign up – and on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The movies start at 8:45 pm at Southpoint Park, but residents and visitors are encouraged to come at 6:00 pm for music, movie trivia, and refreshments that will be on sale. The park is ADA accessible and the Red Bus will stop at the nearby bus stop every 15 minutes. As always, admission is free, so bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy the show!

Ms. Indelicato also reported to the June 27 RIOC Board Of Directors meeting. She indicated that negotiations are starting with Cornell NYC Tech and that policies are in the works concerning the Garden Club, Cultural Center and other non profits. Ms. Indelicato thanked the RIOC Board as well as former acting RIOC President and current General Counsel Don Lewis for their support.  Here's what she had to say.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Public Safety Director Guerra Resigned Today Says RIOC Press Spokesperson

Received the following Statement From Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Press Spokesperson:

Please be advised that Keith Guerra has resigned from his position as Director of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department to pursue another job opportunity. His resignation is effective June 14, 2013. We have taken appropriate steps to ensure continuity of services at PSD.

UPDATE 12:25 PM - In response to my inquiry, RIOC President Charlene Indelicato adds:

For now, Deputy Director Renee Bryan will be in charge.

UPDATE 11:30 PM - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Chair Erin Feely-Nahem provides the following statement:

Statement from the RIRA Public Safety Committee On the Resignation of Keith Guerra

"Without struggle, there is no progress." -- Frederick Douglass

The resignation of Keith Guerra as Director of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) is a major victory for the residents of our beautiful, multinational Island community. It is especially a victory for all opponents of police brutality and defenders of constitutional rights throughout New York City. It is the major first step towards a complete transformation of the top leadership of the PSD. The Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee (RIRA PSC) continues to press for the removal of those PSD officers who engaged in unprovoked violence against peaceful residents and visitors to our Island.

We commend the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Board under new President Charlene Indelicato, and Commissioner Darryl Towns for overseeing this breakthrough. We appreciate greatly the support we received from our elected representatives, Micah Kellner, Jessica Lappin, and Jose Serrano. We further note the excellent comprehensive coverage of this issue in our Island media.

This victory is also a lesson on how to win. The RIRA PSC is proud of the campaign that we organized. We took the moral high ground. We investigated and documented our grievances. We were factual and educational. Our protest actions were legal and peaceful. We appealed to the public opinion of the community with reasoned arguments. Our public rallies were inspiring and educational and gave residents a voice, making it easier for others to step forward and share their experiences.

We can now, with a real spirit of community unity and optimism, move forward to forging a PSD we can be proud of, with a legitimate authority based on earned respect.

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney adds:

Since the deeply upsetting incident during which Anthony Jones was critically injured in a confrontation with Public Safety Department officers, Roosevelt Island residents have repeatedly demanded new leadership. Everyone has a right to feel safe where they live, and for too long, many Roosevelt Islanders have not. I am confident that RIOC will select a Director who will restore a positive relationship between residents and the Public Safety Department.

Ben Kallos, a candidate to represent Roosevelt Island in the NYC Council adds:

Today's resignation of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director demonstrates that the concerted efforts of Roosevelt Islanders who bravely rallied, testified and spoke out to reform the Public Safety Department can achieve results. Residents no longer have to rely on empty political promises, instead taking action to better our community. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of members of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee led by Erin Feely Nahem, who had to make personal sacrifices and faced adversity for her tireless efforts. We eagerly await the results of the investigation into Public Safety Department by the Inspector General who can create an oversight board of resident to prevent future misconduct.

UPDATE 6/16 -According to Roosevelt Island Assembly Member Micah Kellner, John McManus, will be named interim Roosevelt Island Public Safety (PSD) Department Director for a 3 month period starting tomorrow. Mr. McManus will be given the job of cleaning up and fixing PSD's culture and transitioning PSD for the naming of a new permanent Director.

Mr. McManus is currently a Senior Consultant with Bresnan Risk Consultants and formerly a NYPD Assistant Chief. His bio at Bresnan Risk Consultants states:

John McManus brings twenty-six years of prior police management and supervisory experience in the NYPD, where he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief before retiring to become the Director of Security at the World Trade Center/Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. In that capacity, he was responsible for all security operations and emergency planning during the initial rebuilding phase at Ground Zero.

While at the NYPD, Chief McManus served as Executive Officer to both the Chief of Department and the Internal Affairs Bureau. He also served as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Operations Division which has responsibility for the planning of all major events in New York City including the NYC Marathon, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, the U.N. General Assembly, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and N.Y. Yankees World Series and the N.Y. Giants Super Bowl parades on Broadway. A recognized expert in special event security planning, Chief McManus was charged with the massive and complex planning and operational coordination of the Republican National Convention in 2004. The huge undertaking went off without a hitch, reinforcing New York City's reputation as the safest large city in America. He also served as the NYPD Coordinator/ Liaison to the Office of the Mayor for the NYC 2012 Olympic Bid....

I asked RIOC for comment yesterday but have received no response yet. Will update if more info received.

UPDATE 6/27 - 6/17 Press Release from RIOC:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation today announced the appointment of John B. McManus as Interim Director, Public Safety Department (PSD). Mr. McManus began his new position today.

Mr. McManus has extensive public safety, security, and management experience. He served in various roles at the New York Police Department between 1994 - 2006, including Commanding Officer at three precincts, Commanding Officer for the Operations Division, and as Executive Officer to the Chief of Department where he assisted with personnel management, staff deployment, developing and monitoring operational budgets, and analyzing the effectiveness of departmental and operational plans and major new crime fighting initiatives. He began his career at the NYPD in 1979.

Mr. McManus most recently served as Director of Security for the Time Warner Center where he supervised 100 security guards. From 2007-2009, he served as the Director of Security for the World Trade Center where he managed 150 guards daily. In both positions he created and oversaw disaster-related plans including disaster response and evacuation plans.

Mr. McManus will serve as the Interim Director through a contract with Guidepost Solutions LLC, a global investigations and security company. RIOC is initiating a search for a permanent PSD Director. The position was previously held by Keith Guerra. Mr. Guerra resigned Friday to pursue another job opportunity.

“Maintaining safety for our 14,000 residents, our businesses and visitors is a top priority. I look forward to working with Mr. McManus who is an accomplished manager and a near 20-year security forces veteran,” said RIOC President Charlene Indelicato.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Engaged In Work Slowdown Refusing To Respond To Certain Calls For Assistance - NYC Police Department Frustrated And Angry, Silence From RIOC

Image Of Public Safety Officers Reading RIRA Public Safety Committee Poster From Frank Farance

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is currently engaged in a work slowdown according to NYPD and Roosevelt Island merchant sources. During the past two weeks, routine calls for assistance which the Public Safety Department would normally handle are being refused by the Public Safety Department requiring NYPD officers to respond.

Once NYPD responds to these minor incidents and makes an arrest, the officers are no longer available to patrol Roosevelt Island or other areas of the 114th precinct. The Roosevelt Island Public Safety work slowdown results in NYPD officers being taken off the streets of the 114th precinct and unavailable to prevent or respond to more serious incidents. The NYPD is not pleased with the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department at the moment.

An example of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department work slowdown happened Tuesday evening at approximately 6 PM. A minor shoplifting theft at Gristedes occurred. As they have routinely done in the past, Gristedes called the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department to handle the incident but Public Safety did not respond. The NYPD was called and made the arrest which resulted in the Officers being unavailable to continue their normal patrol. Gristedes representatives told me that Public Safety's refusal to respond to this minor incident was not an isolated event.

Yesterday, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato, Public Safety Chief Keith Guerra and RIOC Board Directors:

I have been informed by sources in a position to know that the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has been engaging in a work slowdown for at least the past two weeks refusing to answer certain calls for assistance that they would normally respond to.

Are you aware of this situation?

If you are, what is being done to correct it?...

Have not received any response from RIOC yet. I am not sure which would be worse - RIOC being aware of the work slowdown situation and not doing anything to correct it or not being aware of it at all?

A reasonable question to ask and have answered is whether the Public Safety Department work slowdown is their response to the ongoing Public Safety leadership controversy and brutality allegations?

RIOC President Indelicato learned first hand about the current Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department controversy when she presided over her first Board meeting on May 30. Before the start of the Board meeting, several Roosevelt Island residents spoke about the ongoing Public Safety Department leadership controversy and brutality allegations.

Here's some of what happened. From Erin Feely-Nahem.



The text of Ms. Feely-Nahem's remarks are below:

Good Evening Madam President, Commissioner Towns, and RIOCBoard Members:

My name is Erin Feely-Nahem, and I am the Chair of the Roosevelt Island Resident's Associations Public Safety Committee.

Tonight I am here to address the burning question of the Public Safety Department and its current leadership.

For this community, right now, this is without question, the central and most immediate problem that your new Administration faces.

While I am aware that Ms. Indelicato is new to her position, the situation with the Public Safety Department, the numerous complaints and law suits, and the continuing arrogant and unconstitutional behaviors, are not new for the rest of us and have escalated to a place where the community wants change, as evidenced by the attendance at our February 16th and April 21st Rallies.

For the Public Safety Committee the issue isnʼt about having Public Safety Officers as our Law enforcement entity. We are not advocating for the replacement of Public Safety with NYPD. Unlike what some may think, we donʼt hate Public Safety Officers, we just dislike what some of them have done and what the department's philosophy has become.

What we do want, and what we believe the documented facts support, is new leadership at the head of the current department, and the removal of those officers who have engaged in abusive or brutal behavior. We want a Director who will teach the officers to respect our constitutional rights, put an end to the long standing pattern of abuse, false or frivolous arrest and detentions and one that will create a department with a different philosophy, more in sync with our community's needs.

We are asking for a department that is accountable for their actions, and one that has real authority which is based on mutual trust and respect.

This is all that we want and all that we have been asking for, but we are growing inpatient. It has been almost 5 months since the vicious beating of Anthony Jones, a case where charges were never even filed by the DA.

But this isnʼt only about Anthony, it is about a pattern of behavior over the past 5 years, reflected in dozens of cases, where residentʼs rights are ignored, and where a culture of disrespect, abuse and a type of callousness, has replaced the respect and compassion a community "friendly" Public Safety Department should have.

It is stunning to me personally, as someone who has spent dozen of hours investigating claims and allegations of mistreatment and abuse, and having discussed such cases with Director Guerra, on a number of occasions, to be able to tell you that not once has Chief Guerra ever acknowledged any misconduct or wrong doing, of any of his officers, nor has he offered this community apologies or any explanation for the number of law suits that have been filed, or incidents cited.

These facts indicate that the trust and respect of this community were never a priority for Director Guerra. He was arrogant and self assured, confident that his way was the right way, therefore the only way. Suggestions given to him when grievances were aired fell on deaf ears. He continued to encourage and condone a philosophy of zero tolerance – maximum enforcement of the laws, instructing his Officers to arrest whenever they could, even if it was for a minor violation that would be thrown out of court, as a way to change what he thought was our communityʼs perception of Public Safety Officers as “Toy Cops."

We all want the same thing: peace and stability.We want a PSD that is credible, trusted and respected by our children and our neighbors, one that has the proper authority to keep us safe and secure.

We are grateful to have a new President aboard and hope that under your leadership RIOC and its Board will take the actions required to reform the current Public Safety Department, and to give us back our dignity and our home.

Also, testimony from other residents. during the May 30 RIOC Board meeting Public Session.



It's time for RIOC to end its silence regarding the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department's relationship with the community.

WABC TV Reports On Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Brutality Allegations - New RIOC President Charlene Indelicato Says She Is Moving Quickly To Assess Situation And Will Properly Address It As Soon As Possible

WABC TV reported today on the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department brutality allegations made by some residents of our community. According to WABC TV:

Some young, minority males living on Roosevelt Island say they're being targeted for doing nothing wrong by the very people who are supposed to protect them....

and:

... In an attempt to find out more about the 37 Peace Officers who patrol the Island, we filed a Freedom of Information request for disciplinary records. The documents reveal that many of them have been suspended repeatedly. Ten of them have more than 7 suspensions each. Suspended for "sleeping on duty," "excessive lateness," "tampering with evidence," and "illegal or unethical behavior." Two of the officers have more than 20 suspensions. Yet none has been fired....

Click here for the entire WABC story.

Newly appointed Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato issued the following statement this afternoon:

I am very aware of residents’ complaints regarding the Public Safety Department and take these issues very seriously. Addressing residents’ concerns is my top priority. We have an ongoing AG investigation and have hired our own consultants to investigate operations at PSD. In my eight days at RIOC, I have initiated a top-to-bottom review, started to meet with residents and local groups to discuss PSD, and have instructed the consultants to fast-track their investigation. I am moving quickly to assess the situation and will properly address it as soon as possible.

More on RIOC's response to the brutality allegations including previous statements from Board Directors as well as information on the Public Safety Audit, Inspector General's Report and body cameras for Public Safety Officers available at previous posts. The initial report of the Anthony Jones brutality allegation is here and only public statement (from February 15) of Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra here.

Update On Roosevelt Island Public Safety Deli Incident - Does Video Show Fabricated Public Safety Testimony About Incident?

During the April 21 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Rally and March presentations, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Member (and member of Public Safety Committee) Frank Farance charged that the written testimony given by Public Safety officers about the December 9, 2012 incident at the M&D Deli was fabricated.

Mr. Farance compared the written Public Safety report obtained through a Freedom Of Information Law request with security video taken at the time of the incident to show differences between the video and the testimony.

Here's Mr. Farance's presentation.



This previous post shows the deli security video of the incident. (Click on Full Screen to enlarge)

Part 1. According to Mr. Farance:

This is the first person being arrested.  The key points are the employee P and employee Q in the next two videos.

Part 2. According to Mr. Farance:

In this video while person X is being arrested, employee P is trying to keep his friend, person Y, out of the arrest process.  At time 02:14:39, you see Public Safety officer #3 come back, holding a cup of coffee in hand, then put the coffee on the top of the fridge and arrest employee P who was trying to protect Public Safety.  By 02:15:02 employee P is already handcuffed and not resisting arrest, but at 02:15:06 PSO #3 is striking employee P with a baton on his knees.

Part 3 According to Mr. Farance:

As Public Safety officers are walking out with Person X, Person Y, and employee P handcuffed, at 02:16:47 the second employee Q appears to ask (presumably) about why they are taking the other employee.  The last two Public Safety officers then arrest employee Q for asking about his fellow employee.

Here's more video of the April 21 Roosevelt Island Public Safety March and Rally.

Roosevelt Island March And Rally To Protest Reports Of Public Safety Brutality Incidents - NYC Council Member Lappin and NY State Assembly Member Micah Kellner Urge Removal Of Public Safety Director

Image From Olya Turcihin

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee held a march and rally

Image From Olya Turcihin

this afternoon to protest against reported allegations of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department brutality incidents.

Image From Olya Turcihin

The march and rally began at Good Shepherd Plaza with Roosevelt Island elected representatives NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin and NY State Assembly Member Micah Kellner calling for the replacement of current RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra.

Ms. Lappin told the crowd:

... there is no place for brutality on Roosevelt Island or anywhere else. We need to get to the bottom of what has been been happening here but the Roosevelt Island Safety Department is here to protect you, they are here to help you and hanging out is not a crime and quite clearly there is a crisis in confidence so I think we need new leadership and we are here to demand justice...

Mr. Kellner added:

... the Public Safety Department under Director Keith Guerra is no longer legitimate...

and:

... there are investigations, there are audits going on and I think we all know what they are going to find, that he has not been doing things by the book and the fact is we need someone to come in here to rebuild trust within this community, we need somebody to run Public Safety who understands its their job to protect this community. This is not a high crime community. This is a very low crime community so the idea that kids hanging out in front of a store is somehow a great danger is just ridiculous. Mr. Guerra you can go by your own free will or you will be fired but it's time we had a change on Roosevelt Island.

Here's the start of the protest rally at Good Shepherd Plaza and remarks by Ms. Lappin and Mr. Kellner



followed by protesters marching down Main Street.



At the conclusion of the Main Street March, the protesters gathered inside the Good Shepherd Community Center

Image From Olya Turcihin

to hear from a variety of speakers including Civil Rights attorney and former head of the NY Civil Liberties Union Norman Siegel

Image From Olya Turcihin

talk about the 60 year struggle to implement a civilian review board to investigate incident of police brutality.

Prior to Mr. Siegel speaking, RIRA President Ellen Polivy asked the audience for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, RIRA Public Safety Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem

Image From Olya Turcihin

reviewed the current situation with the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and a participatory poem was read titled "Ode To Guerra".

Image From Olya Turcihin

Here's what happened.



There were additional speakers including Michael Warren (the attorney for the Central Park 5),

Image From Olya Turcihin

Michael Lamonsoff (the attorney representing Roosevelt Island resident Anthony Jones who was allegedly beaten nearly to death by Public Safety Officers last January),

Image From Olya Turcihin

State Senator Jose Serrano, NYC City Council Candidate Ben Kallos and others. Video from their presentations will be available soon.

Near the end of the rally, Roosevelt Island resident and RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki asked to speak to the audience about what the RIOC has done regarding the allegations of Public Safety Department brutality incidents. Here's what Mr. Shinozaki had to say.



Will have additional video soon.

UPDATE 4/22 -An excerpt from Mr. Shinozaki's remarks yesterday:

... We are investigating, I have read through all the cases you guys have sent ... There is alot of passion in this room as their should but from my standpoint, as an officer of the state, I have to dig through the actual facts. How many number of cases, which officers were involved. We have some excellent officers, we have some good officers, maybe we have some problem officers, but I have to, as an employer as well figure out who's good, who's a problem.

Is this a problem with leadership? Is this a problem with particular officers? I have emails from members of the community saying what a great job Guerra is doing...

I have to look at what are the facts and circumstances of the case...

and video from attorney Michael Warren talking about how to deal with the issue of police brutality, the Civilian Police Review Board process and past cases including that of graffiti artist Michael Stewart.

Roosevelt Island March And Rally Against Public Safety Department Abuse To Be Held Sunday April 21 - NYC Elected Officials, Civil Rights Activists And Victims In Attendance

Following up on its February 16 demonstration against reported allegations of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department brutality incidents, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee will be holding a march and rally this Sunday April 21 to "Stop Public Safety Dept. Abuse"

Image From RIRA Public Safety Committee

According to the RIRA Public Safety Committee:

The Roosevelt Island Residents Associationʼs (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) is organizing a second major public action on April 21, 2013 endorsed by RIRAʼs Common Council. Our central demand remains the removal of Public Safety Department (PSD) Director Keith Guerra and his top leadership and the ring of PSD Officers who have engaged in unprovoked physical violence and abuse. This focus is based on the overwhelmingly clear pattern of harassment, brutality, petty charges ending up dismissed in court, and cover-ups & lies against Island residents and visitors from boroughs.

Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, New York City is a close knit, diverse community of working- class and middle-class peoples of many nationalities and backgrounds. Our community brings together young people with families, the disabled and physically challenged, seniors living proudly independent lives, and working people and professionals from all over the world. Our island has always enjoyed a peaceful environment, however criminal behavior and violent assault has ironically become centered on the very entity that is supposed to shield us against it: the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

The case of Anthony Jones, detained on false charges and beaten to near death by PSD officers, and the vigorous pursuit of justice for him by his mother, backed by the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee and RIRA as a whole, has, finally, created the atmosphere and conditions whereby other Island residents are coming out with their accounts of PSD abuse and violence.

On 2/16/13, a historic rally of some 300 people jammed into Good Shepherd Community Center in perhaps the largest protest event held on Roosevelt Island. Since then the PSC has expanded its work documenting PSD abuse under the Guerra regime. PSC activists and supporters -- especially direct victims, and their families, of PSD violence, harassment, and bogus detention -- have attended meetings of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to press our concerns. RIOC has requested and has been receiving numerous signed, documented complaints. Weʼve reached out to elected officials on local and state levels representing Roosevelt Island for their support. Our struggle received signicant media coverage on and off the Island and is projected to exceed it in our next Rally.

So far our demands remain unmet, although there has been some motion toward investigation of PSD abuses by RIOC and submission of complaints to the Inspector General of New York State. We are not discouraged by the slow pace because we understand we are up against entrenched interests and are under no illusions about the bureaucratic labyrinth of obstacles we face. We understand it will take a sustained legal and peaceful campaign of education, mobilization, and intelligently directed pressure to bring about the changes needed. We will stay in the streets and every other arena open to us to expand our campaign, increase our numbers, press our demands until victory is won.

THE MARCH & RALLY: We call on all opponents of police brutality and supporters of justice across NYC to join us April 21 at 1 PM for a legal, peaceful, and determined march down Main Street (at Roosevelt Islandʼs Good Shepherd Church, adjacent to Trellis Diner) to press our demands & concerns. We will gather inside Good Shepherd Church after the march to hear an impressive list of prominent speakers from across New York, island activists and victims of PSD abuse.

The precondition for any “reforms” in the training and methods of PSD personnel must be the IMMEDIATE REMOVAL of Chief Keith Guerra and his top leadership from their posts. We demand that their employer, RIOC, act on this without further delay.

TAKE THE F TRAIN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (917) 887- 8710

During the Public Session of the April 4 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Of Directors meeting, Assembly Member Micah Kellner stated to the the RIOC Directors that the community has:

... lost trust, lost faith in Public Safety and in a democracy a police force can only enforce the law with the consent of the people and right now that is just not going on...

... there clearly needs to be reforms and clearly needs to be a rebuilding of trust between the community and public safety...

Mr. Kellner's full remarks are below.



Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Director Keith Guerra is not allowed by RIOC to respond to the charges leveled against him other than this February 15 statement he sent to the community:

I am aware of the community unrest regarding an incident which recently occurred on the island. While I am not at liberty to discuss the details of the particular case, due to pending litigation, I do want you to know that I am listening to you, and I want to reassure you that this office does not tolerate excessive use of force nor constitutional rights violations that put members of the public at risk.

The mission of the Public Safety Department is to reduce crime and fear, promote public safety and improve the quality of life for all those who live, work or visit this wonderful island. Sometimes that vision involves finding the median between serving those who call upon us, and the enforcement on those we encounter from those calls for service. Over the last 5 years, we have been able to decrease crime on the island without a "Zero Tolerance" or "Maximum Enforcement" initiative, as some have purported. This decrease has been confirmed by the Commanding Officer of the 114th Pct., who particularly noted that Index Crimes on Roosevelt Island were down by 7 from the prior year. Please note that this is extremely challenging in an already low crime area. Our Community Outreach initiatives of various informational Summits and Safety Days have enabled us to provide added services. Our Community Basketball Games and the Young Adult Program at Sportspark have provided a better connection between our agency and the young adults in the neighborhood. Additionally, we have been able to have approximately 900 Bicycle helmets and 10 Car Seats donated to the community to provide safety for not only the children but for all residents on the island. I realize that there is still more work to be done.

One of the community’s concerns is the establishment of a Civilian Complaint Review Board. The current procedure has been in place long before I arrived. I am willing to work with you and the RIOC Board concerning this. Assemblyman Micah Kellner and I have spoken in the past about his proposed legislation and I have never been opposed to his suggestion. In fact, I welcomed it. Although this will not be an easy process, I believe that if we work together on this issue, we can make a difference.

As for the particular case in question, all I can do is ask for your patience in allowing the due process to take its course. Please reserve your final judgment until that time. I have, in the past, and will continue to work with the community to form a better understanding and working relationship between PSD and the community it serves.

Keith Guerra, Director

Roosevelt Island

Public Safety Department

For the  good of the Roosevelt Island community, I hope the new RIOC President Charlene Indelicato rejects the policies of her immediate predecessors Leslie Torres and Don Lewis to allow a more open and transparent communications policy as did former RIOC President Steve Shane.

In the meantime, RIOC is considering body cameras for Public Safety Officers and undertaking a Public Safety Department Audit review as well as undergoing an investigation by the NY State Inspector General regarding the brutality allegations.

Roosevelt Island NYC Council Candidates Ben Kallos And Assembly Member Micah Kellner Exchange Views On Civilian Complaint Review Board Legislation

Ben Kallos is running to succeed Jessica Lappin as New York City Council Member for Manhattan's 5th District which includes Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side. Last week, Mr Kallos sent the following letter to Roosevelt Island's Assembly Member Micah Kellner who is also running for the same NYC Council Seat.

From Mr. Kallos dated March 28,2012

I am writing on behalf of the residents of Roosevelt Island to suggest changes to legislation you authored, New York State Assembly Bill Number A.956 to create the New York State Civilian Complaint Review Board to investigate alleged misconduct by police and peace officers that you originally introduced as A.10618 on April 12, 2010.

I need not explain to you the importance of this bill you are sponsoring on behalf of our community. It is disappointing that our government has not responded to residents’ consistent complaints regarding the conduct of the Public Safety Department and that our campaign may have been the first to bring these larger issues before the New York State Inspector General for their investigation. These alleged abuses have continued for the past three years, while the only legislation to address them has sat in committee with no other action taken.

I am inspired by the residents of Roosevelt Island who have personally stood up against abuse and have rallied together to improve their situation. On February 16, I attended the “Rally Against RI Public Safety Department Brutality.” I was particularly moved when early in the event approximately 25 of the Island’s young residents walked on stage and bravely announced they had all had troubling incidents with the Public Safety Department. This was followed by more than two hours of accounts from residents who had come to share their personal stories. I urge you to see their stories yourself on the Roosevelt Islander or at KallosForCouncil.com/share/roosevelt-island-public-safety-stories

Assembly Member Jonathan Bing secured the passage of 13 bills in the Assembly, 6 through both houses, and 5 signed into law, while I served as his Chief of Staff. To give our community the support they deserve, please consider the following recommendations:

Force a Committee Vote on Your Legislation. Assembly Rule IV §5(b) allows a Sponsor of legislation to force a vote in committee. When this legislation was first introduced in 2010 it did not make it out of the Codes Committee and when it was reintroduced in 2011-12 it remained in the Governmental Operations Committee without an online record of a vote each time. Please use this power to force a committee vote immediately.

Force a Vote of Your Legislation on the Floor of the Assembly. The New York State Constitution Article III §18 empowers Assembly Members to collect signatures from two-thirds of legislators to force the legislature to convene an “extraordinary session” where they must vote on the legislation on the petition. Please use this power to force the legislature to make the legislation we need to protect Roosevelt Island residents.

Author Legislation Narrowly Tailored to Serve Our Community. Roosevelt Island residents are requesting a CCRB for the Public Safety Department of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, but your legislation does not call for the creation of such a board. The current legislation creates an unnecessary bureaucracy duplicating the role of the Inspector General that is already statewide in nature. Please either introduce a twin bill that is narrowly tailored or amend the existing bill to solve the problem in question by creating a board with sole jurisdiction over the Public Safety Department. Either narrowly tailored legislation or introducing two versions of the same legislation with one narrowly tailored and the other broadly tailored will mean a greater chance of success.

Public Hearing and Solicitation for Improvements. Many of the changes below could have been identified prior to or immediately following the legislations introduction by holding of public hearings or through use of online transparency tools like those found at KallosForCouncil.com. Please hold public hearings on all of your legislation and submit it for public comment online and in person.

In reviewing the legislation you authored, A.956, we have identified multiple flaws that will not only prevent its passage, but create a body that is not reflective of the CCRB that it hopes to model. As authored this bill would not adequately serve to solve the problem for which it has been proposed as a solution. Here are some of the possible problems with the legislation and suggested solutions:

Create a CCRB Specifically for Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department Not for Police Statewide. The legislation seeks to create a CCRB for all police departments and peace officers throughout the State of New York. However, Roosevelt Island is only seeking a CCRB for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department. The legislation must be amended or twin introduced that is narrowly tailored to address the specific problems on Roosevelt Island.

Require the Appointment Roosevelt Island Residents. The legislation seeks to appointment nine (9) members without mention of residency. All nine would be appointed by the Governor, with six appointed on the recommendation of the Attorney General, Comptroller, and legislative leaders. The problem here is that the legislation centralizes appointment power in the very Executive branch from which residents seek protection. Please model on the CCRB by requiring all appointees to be residents of Roosevelt Island with geographic diversity related to housing complex. Appointments should include the Senator, Assembly Member, and City Council Member representing the Island along with allowing direct election.

Include Experienced Law Enforcement Professionals Just Like the CCRB. The legislation specifically excludes the service of anyone with experience as a law enforcement professional while the CCRB appoints three out of thirteen who do have experience as a law enforcement professional. There is a role for individuals with experience as law enforcement professionals on a CCRB.

Require Cooperation by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department. The CCRB requires cooperation by the police department and its commissioner in all complaints, investigations, and reporting. This requirement must be included in the legislation.

We have already filed what we believe may be the first and only formal complaint with the New York State Inspector General and are going to supplement it with additional evidence we have collected. We hope an investigation will end abuses and create an oversight body of residents to prevent their recurrence.

I offer my support to you to get this legislation passed on behalf of the Roosevelt Island community, especially at this moment of concern, when it is so crucial that everybody works together for the sake and safety of our community.

This letter will be circulated to the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition, Roosevelt Island Residents Association as well as its Public Safety Committee, and finally online at KallosForCouncil.com/share/public-safety-stories where we are soliciting community feedback, suggestions, and support. As such, further amendments are likely to be submitted.

We respectfully request: (i) an immediate public hearing on your legislation, (ii) amendment or introduction of twin legislation to keep the Roosevelt Island community safe, (iii) an immediate vote in the Assembly Committees, and (iii) an immediate vote on the Assembly Floor.

On Behalf of My Neighbors on Roosevelt Island,

Benjamin Kallos

Candidate for City Council to

Represent Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side

Yesterday, I received this response from Mr. Kellner:

I have a real record of results for the Roosevelt Island community. I will continue to work tirelessly to rebuild trust between the residents and the public safety department.

I appreciate Mr. Kallos' new-found interest in Roosevelt Island issues. While many of his suggestions demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the statewide civilian complaint review board proposal -- as well as the legislative process -- I will give his comments all the consideration they deserve.

More on Assembly Member Kellner's statewide civilian complaint review board proposal at this previous post.

Mr. Kallos spoke yesterday at the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Public Session. Mr. Kallos reported that he sent a letter urging Governor Cuomo to appoint the most recently elected RIOC Board nominee candidates Larry Parnes and Lydia Tang to the vacant RIOC Board seat formerly held by Sal Ferrera. Mr. Kallos noted that his letter was published by the Albany Times Union Capital Confidential which is read by Governor Cuomo.

Upon learning of the letter to Governor Cuomo, I suggested to Mr. Kallos:

... former RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin, who was replaced by Sal Ferrera, was the winner in an earlier (February 2012) RIOC Director Nominee election before both Mr. Parnes and Ms. Tang.

Mr. Kalkin should be among, if not the first, to be considered for the vacant position....

RIRA member Frank Farance told Mr. Kallos that he did not think having Roosevelt Island residents as Board members was of prime importance but having competent Board Members whether residents or not was imperative.

Here's what Mr. Kallos had to say at yesterday's RIRA meeting.