No Surprise - Roosevelt Island's F Train 5th Slowest In NYC Transit System

Image from NY Post

According to an article in today's NY Post:

Two of every 10 of the city's subway trains run late, according to a new measure of on-time performance being adopted by the MTA.

... Under the measure, called "absolute on-time performance," 21.6 percent of all trains were five minutes or more late in August - compared to 9.8 percent under the old measuring system.

New York City Transit officials said the new system provides a more honest measure of trains' performance, and better reflects straphangers' experience. Metropolitan Transportation Authority watchdogs agree.

"It's a no-excuses kind of measure - did the train show up on time, or not? No excuses," said Bill Henderson of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, NYC Transit's parent agency.

Not surprising to Roosevelt Islanders, the F Train is the fifth most late subway line in the New York City Transit System.

More Problems With Roosevelt Island Escalators This Morning - They Don't Work But At Least They Talk

You Tube Video of Tokyo working escalators

A very unhappy Roosevelt Islander sends the following message concerning Roosevelt Island's new escalators and overcrowding at subway station:

At the top level, of the 3 "open" escalators, during prime rush this morning none were going down: 1 didn't work and 2 going up.

Subway arrived so packed some woman literally pushed her kids in on top of people.

You Tube Video of Chinese subway pushers

Can the MTA please tell us what is the big problem fixing the Roosevelt Island escalators that were just installed so that they work on a regular basis? Or is having talking, non-working escalators the best we get?

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Talking Escalator

Looking For Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island - Free Tango Lessons, Halloween Extravaganzas, Picasso, The Met & Kidfest

You Tube Video of Tango Argentina

Looking for fun things to do on Roosevelt Island or in New York City this weekend? Here are some suggestions.

On Friday or Saturday night, take a free beginner's class in Argentine tango at Triangulo:

... TriANGulO specializes in Argentine tango, the original, more intimate predecessor to international ballroom-style tango. Founder Carina Moeller is a professional dancer with training in modern dance and ballet who has worked and studied with such tango greats as Fabian Salas, Pablo Veron, and Mingo Pugliese. Known for her engaging and precise teaching style, Carina creates a stress-free atmosphere that is particularly appealing to novice dancers."

Halloween in Central Park means the great New York Pumpkin Festival on Saturday from 3-8 PM including:

• Scarecrow Design Competition - Bethesda Fountain
  To celebrate the spirit of Halloween and creative expression, the Parks Department is hosting its first citywide scarecrow competition.
  
  
• Spooktacular Haunted House - Bethesda Terrace Arcade
  Designed by the same company that runs the popular annual haunted house in the Lower East Side, our haunted house will take you through six different rooms that feature bone-chilling zombies and other spooky surprises! Get a sneak peak of our Haunted House on Friday, October 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.!
  
• Jack O' Lantern Tower - Bandshell
  Due to popular demand, we are bringing back our 20-foot tall Jack o’ Lantern Tower in the Bandshell area! Our lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30pm, just as the sun is beginning to set…
  
• Pumpkin Patch - Cherry Hill
  Don’t forget to stop by the Pumpkin Patch to let your kids pick out their very own pumpkin! We will also have a photo booth on site so wear your Halloween best!

There is a Halloween Haunted Walk in Brooklyn's Prospect Park as well and sign up to volunteer for the Village Voice Halloween Party in Greenwich Village on the real day.

You can also take in a Picasso exhibit at the Acquavella Galleries and The Philippe de Montebello Years: Curators Celebrate Three Decades of Acquisitions” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

There are things to do on Roosevelt Island this weekend as well such as the:

Roosevelt Island Halloween Extravaganza this Saturday, October 25th with Children's Costume Parade starting 12pm at Blackwell House and Extravaganza to follow at PS 217.

Also, let's not forget the fourth and final weekend of Roosevelt Island Kidfest with Audra Rox performing on the Riverwalk Lawn Saturday afternoon and that October is Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Month. Highlights this weekend include:

Saturday, October 25th
11am - 2pm Community Art Class taught by RIVAA members at Sportspark Studios. No previous experience required.
4 - 5pm - "A Celebration of Chinese Martial Arts" - performed and led by island resident Sharon Berman, her assistant Johanna Trescher and students Ellen and Howard Polivy, Dr. Kathie Grimm and Lydia Tang.

Sunday, October 26th
Gallery RIVAA open 11am. to 5pm.
4 - 5pm - Brush up your Shakespeare in a performance and workshop by island resident, Ed Katz.
7 - 9pm - Guitar Recital by our very own, Matthew Katz. Followed by a big bash end of the festival reception � all are invited.

According to the MTA, Roosevelt Island F Train will be normal this weekend and RIOC reports no service interruptions for the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Another suggestion is to attend tonight's gallery opening in Newark NJ of New York Panorama showcasing the work of the photographer Joergen Geerds who has taken some wonderful panoramic photos of the NYC Skyline and East River waterfront from Southpoint Park.

Check out some other ideas on what to do in New York City this weekend from the NY Times Urban Eye, NY Post Weekend Calendar and Newyorkology.

McCain Disses New York City As Elitist, Daily Show Visits Wasilla Alaska In Search of Small Town Values

You Tube Video of McCain/Palin discussing Elitism with Brian Williams

During John McCain and Sarah Palin's joint interview with NBC's Brian Williams, one of the Republican party candidates demonstrated great disdain for urban America, particularly our home here in New York City. Surprisingly, this time it was not Governor Sarah Palin, but Senator Maverick, John McCain.

Ben Smith of Politic0 has the transcript of this exchange:

WILLIAMS: Who is a member of the elite?

PALIN: Oh, I guess just people who think that they're better than anyone else. And-- John McCain and I are so committed to serving every American. Hard-working, middle-class Americans who are so desiring of this economy getting put back on the right track. And winning these wars. And America's starting to reach her potential. And that is opportunity and hope provided everyone equally. So anyone who thinks that they are-- I guess-- better than anyone else, that's-- that's my definition of elitism.

WILLIAMS: So it's not education? It's not income-based? It's--

PALIN: Anyone who thinks that they're better than someone else.

WILLIAMS: --a state of mind? It's not geography?

PALIN: 'Course not.

WILLIAMS: Senator?

MCCAIN: I-- I know where a lot of 'em live. (LAUGH)

WILLIAMS: Where's that?

MCCAIN: Well, in our nation's capital and New York City. I've seen it. I've lived there. I know the town. I know-- I know what a lot of these elitists are. The ones that she never went to a cocktail party with in Georgetown. I'll be very frank with you. Who think that they can dictate what they believe to America rather than let Americans decide for themselves.

I am sick and tired of hearing that living in New York City or any urban area somehow makes you less Pro American than those who live in the so-called heartland. or that small town values are superior to big city values. I agree with Craigslist founder and customer service representative Craig Newmark when he writes:

From my personal experience, I can tell you that pretty much all Americans have a common set of values, mostly derived from the same shared value. It's the notion that you should treat other people like you want to be treated. If you feel that, you feel that people should treat others fairly. We should all compete on a level playing field, and play by the same rule; that's how to get ahead.

Beyond that, people generally feel that once they've provided for themselves, they should give someone else a break. That's the basis for all philanthropy.

Sure, people make other decisions about values for lots of other reasons. However, our shared values unite us; we have more in common than that which separates us.

Jason Jones of Jon Stewart's Daily show visits Sarah Palin's hometown of Wasilla Alaska to find out how small town values differ from those in the big city and asks Sarah Palin's successor as Wasilla's Mayor to describe an average day.

Jon Stewart's Daily Show on Wasilla Alsaka

Update On Today's RIOC Board Meeting Concerning Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization - Matter Tabled

Image of RIOC logo

The first item on the Agenda of today's RIOC Board of Directors meeting was:

Aerial Tramway Modernization Project: Authorization to Enter Design/Build and Operating & Management Contracts (Additional Materials to Follow – Board Action Required)

I inquired of RIOC President Shane:

I was not able to make this morning's Board meeting and web cast is not yet available.

Was a decision made on who won the bid for the Tram Modernization Project? If so, who will it be and can you provide any additional details as to the final decision on the extent of the work to be done?

Mr. Shane repllied:

Matter was tabled for 2 weeks

No other information available at this time. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 10/26 - The 10/25 Main Street WIRE reports (PDF File):

The RIOC Board has delayed - perhaps for two weeks – a final go ahead on the tramway upgrade that has been in planning stages for several months. Two members, Jonathan Kalkin and Kathie Grimm, said they want more information before voting. Three others, Charlee Miller, Patrick Stewart, and Fay Christian, agreed that there should be a delay to give them time to become comfortable with the $25 million decision.

The action came Thursday morning in the Board’s regular meeting on a motion by Kalkin. Board chair Deborah VanAmerongen, who is commissioner of the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), resident Board member David Kraut, and the representative of the state budget office voted against the delay.

... Kalkin explained his reservations about voting in Thursday’s meeting by saying, “This may be the best idea, but I don’t feel I’ve been given enough information in a timely manner to make a decision at this point.”

... Board chair VanAmerongen said, “I will share a frustration with you,” and went on to indicate that she felt the RIOC staff had been responsible and as timely as possible in getting pre-vote information to Board members. She said she felt Board members should have taken greater initiative in seeking out the information the RIOC staff could provide. “I am willing to wait two weeks,” she said....

The web cast of the 10/23 RIOC Board meeting is now online.

Chimp Learns How To Ride A Segway Has Nothing To Do With Segway Use By Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department

You Tube video via Presurfer

Chimp on a Segway is just a funny and interesting video and has nothing to do with Roosevelt Island Public Safety Segway comments from this recent post.

Pro Segway:

Segways are tools that have their place in Law Enforcement; just like Bicycles and Motor Vehicles. From what I can see, the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has all three. Residents should quit complaining so much and be happy you live in a safe neighborhood. If you don't really like it here, move somewhere else!

Not so much:

... Tell me one or two reasons why a Segway has a place in law enforcement in general and here on Roosevelt Island in specific? With or w/o Segways RI would still be a safe place. I just see it a $10k (at least) waste of money.

How many Segways does the entire NYPD have? 3? Maybe 5? And we have 2. Ridiculous.

Assembly Member Kellner Will Distribute Reusable Grocery Bags Saturday Morning At Farmers Market

Go Green Image from Micah Kellner.net

Assembly Member Micah Kellner will be distributing environmentally friendly tote bags at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market this Saturday. Kellner reports:

In the following weeks, I will be distributing free tote bags to constituents at street fairs, greenmarkets, and outside grocery stores. The idea behind the campaign is to promote the use of durable reusable bags for grocery trips and other shopping needs instead of using plastic bags.

The average family uses 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store. These American-made (the company is Fabriko) Eco-Spun Recycler Tote Bags I am distributing are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, a material known as PET. PET is considered the greenest material on the planet today and regularly using just one of these bags for daily shopping can eliminate over 1,000 plastic bags from entering our waste system.

My great hope is that my campaign will begin to raise awareness about alternatives to plastic bags. Single-use plastic bags accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years. In New York City, they comprise about 2.87% of our residential waste stream, and they are our largest source of plastic waste – and plastic bags are among the 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups. To read more about this issue, I highly reccomend the website ReusableBags.Com.

My GO GREEN! CHALLENGE comes just after New York City's Local Law 1, the Plastic Carryout Bag Recycling Law, came into effect on July 23rd, 2008. This new city law requires stores across the City to establish in-store recycling programs for plastic bags and film plastic, such as plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags. The law applies to stores that use plastic bags and occupy 5,000 or more square feet or have more than five branches operating in New York City. Stores are also required to sell reusable bags.

I will be distributing our environmentally friendly tote bags at the the Green Market starting at 10:30am on Saturday October 25th, at the Rosevelt Island Senior Center Monday October 27th starting at 11am, and on Tuesday October 28th at Gristedes starting at 1:30pm.

Introduced just over 25 years ago, the world consumes an estimated 500 billion plastic bags annually (almost 1 million per minute). According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year. Four out of five grocery bags in the US are now plastic. Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them.

I will also be exploring policy avenues to have an even larger impact. Using reusable bags needs to rise to the level of a social imperative, and I think it will, once people realize how simple it is to make such a big difference. A good example is Ireland. That country introduced a new tax in 2002, requiring customers to pay at the register if they wanted to use a plastic bag. Within weeks, use of plastic bags dropped by 94% as the Irish began to adjust to carrying tote bags to the store. Now using a plastic bag is socially unacceptable in Ireland. People are just more aware.

Decision To Be Made on Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization At Tomorrow's RIOC Board Meeting

Roosevelt Island Tram Image from J Blough

RIOC is reporting that:

a Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Center, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York, for the purpose of transacting such business as shall come before the Board.

Items on the new business agenda include:

1. Aerial Tramway Modernization Project: Authorization to Enter
Design/Build and Operating & Management Contracts (Additional
Materials to Follow – Board Action Required)

2. Authorization of Extension of Contract with Doppelmayr CTEC,
Inc. for Operation and Management of the Roosevelt Island
Aerial Tramway (Board Action Required)

3. Presentation by the Trust for Public Land of Design Update for the
Southpoint Public Open Space Project

I asked former RIOC Board member Mark Ponton his thoughts on the Tram Modernizaton agenda item.

Question: how do you think the vote will go on the issue of tram
replacement?

Answer I think there'll be a least one "no" but I think the majority
will go for the replacement.

Question: Why do you think that?

Answer: I think a number of the board members have themselves convinced that this is a technical decision and since most of them don't have a technical background or technical leaning they'll fall for the old chestnut of "erring on the side of caution". This is not a technical decision at all. It'll turn into one if the board votes to go ahead but right now it's a very simple business decision. It's no more technical than buying a belt, a shirt, or a winter jacket. The basic question is no different than the one you'd ask yourself which is "do I really need this?" If your answer is "yes" then presumably you know why you have the need. If your answer is "no" then you know why it's "no". That doesn't say you're not going to get the jacket anyway it just says you've admitted to yourself you don't need it but for whatever reason, including that you just feel like getting it, you're going to get it anyway. That's all we're dealing with here; just that simple issue. We have a report from the three most prestigious engineering firms in the United States and maybe the world that says, given regular routine maintenance, there's not only nothing major on the tram that needs replacing or upgrading now but there's nothing they can see into the future that will need it either. So the basic question is: "do we go ahead anyway?"

There's also an element in what people have been brought up to believe. We've been told almost since birth that new is better than old. That means there's a natural focus on the tram's age as opposed to an analytical examination of its capability. But, if we go by the data we have, it says that we don't need to do anything. That tells me since there's no need that exists, we shouldn't fabricate one. For example, a
really pertinent question a board member might ask would not relate to whether or not the new tram cabins should be made of aluminum instead of carbon fiber but instead the question should be "why are we doing anything at all to a vehicle that has served us almost flawlessly for the past 30 plus years?", and in the opinion of experts has all thesigns of continuing to do so

We can also take a look at the functional (not the technical) differences that there'll be if we make the changes that are planned. A quick look seems to show what appears to be a vast difference. A closer look will show that in a practical sense there'll be almost be no difference at all. So, in my opinion, we ought not to be massively inconveniencing thousands of island residents for a year in order to end
up with something that's essentially what we have now.

The interesting thing to me is how somebody has gotten the board members convinced that this is a technical decision when in fact it only becomes a technical decision if by the avoidance of simple questions and by casting a vote to proceed, the board makes it so

RIOC President Steve Shane writes of the Tram Modernization Project in his 10/11 Main Street WIRE column (PDF File):

The funding agreement is signed and delivered. The two expected bid responses were received September 16, distributed to our engineering consultants, Parametrix, LIRO, and Professor Testa, for their independent evaluation, and were the subject of a full day’s interview for each responder. Final rating and ranking will be done in time for a recommendation to be on the Board agenda of the 23rd. A presentation was made to the community by each responder at a Town Hall meeting on October 2. Contract execution is to follow and the overhaul process
begun, with closure anticipated in April or May 2009. The closure will be not more than six months, based upon the bids, and will be contractually undertaken by the awardee.RIRA representatives and the most vocal critics, as well as individual members of the Board, were invited to participate in the review process. I believe this process to have thoroughly exposed the entire matter to full community review and involvement, and should leave no questions unanswered. Our outside consultants have thoroughly vetted the proposals and are satisfied with the engineering solutions. We have reviewed the financial qualifications and contacted those listed as prior references. We are ready.

Transportation Community Town Hall Meeting Is First Step In Developing Comprehensive Quality Of Life Plan For Roosevelt Island - We Hope!

Image from Roosevelt Island 360

Last night's Transportation Town Hall meeting did not produce anything new in terms of solutions for Roosevelt Island other than the use of a wireless point and click device to record the views of those in attendance on a variety of questions.

Roosevelt Island 360 has an excellent and thorough review of the proceeds with which I am in complete agreement.

The only real problem was the transportation experts did not speak at all and the public was not given the opportunity to put these folks on the spot. Also while the solutions offered are nice in theory we heard nothing from the elected officials or the transportation officials as to the reality of any one solution being actually attainable or not.

Image from Roosevelt Island 360

Access RI is a blog created by the Hunter College team that conducted the Roosevelt Island transportation Town Hall meeting. Access RI intends to not only focus on Roosevelt Island transportation related issues but seeks to develop a comprehensive plan to:

improve access to employment, education, health care, food and other services of importance including but not limited to emergency services and public transportation.

The study will produce long-term, innovative solutions, in addition to short-term, low hanging fruit solutions to address these issues.

Roosevelt Island offers a simple way to delineate the primary study area, because it is an island with three main access points. However, as we continue our research and analysis, the study area may expand the scope of analysis to include access corridors or nodes in Manhattan and Queens.

Good luck.

Last NIght's F Train Delays and Helicopters Over LIC Caused By Subway Shooting Of Police Officers

Video from the NY Post

Did you experience delays on the Roosevelt Island F train or see the 4 helicopters hovering over Long Island City last night and wonder what was going on? A reader directs us to this NY Times City Room blog entry that reports two NYC Police officers were shot inside our neighboring 21st - Queensbridge subway station on the F line.

Well into the night, F trains bypassed the subway station in both directions as the police investigation continued. As of 10:29 p.m. the Metropolitan Transportation Authority continue to warn passengers of delays in service along the line, which travels between Jamaica, Queens, and Coney Island, Brooklyn, via Manhattan.

The NY Post describes yesterday's 5:15 PM shooting which occurred while the Police Officers were attempting to arrest an individual using a fake student Metro Card to enter the subway:

A fare-beater caught sneaking into a Queens subway last night coldly shot two cops with one of their own guns after he knocked them to the station-platform floor, authorities said.

The gunman then bolted - weapon still blazing at the wounded Anti Crime transit cops - and ran into a lieutenant who dodged the suspect's bullets and pumped four of his own into him.

As to the Police Officers condition, The NY Times reports that:

Officer Farina, 38, who had surgery late Tuesday night, was in critical but stable condition. Officer Maass, 28, was in stable condition and was expected to be released Wednesday morning.

Here's wishing the Police Officers a full and speedy recovery!

Roosevelt Island Segway Officers Chase Down and Apprehend Suspects in Subway Robbery

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra reports that Roosevelt Island Segway officers chased down and captured two suspects in yesterday's subway robbery:

I just wanted to update you on the Robbery call we had yesterday. A Public Safety Officer was notified by two good Samaritans of a female robbed in the Roosevelt Island Subway Station. The PSD officer immediately conveyed the information received to all PSD officers on duty. A search was conducted and the subjects were spotted running from the station. Officers pursued both male subjects on foot and via the Segway, and they were apprehended by PSD officers with no further incident. Both subjects were turned over to NYPD Transit officers who processed the individuals for arrest.

No, this is not a picture of Roosevelt Island Public Safety officers apprehending suspected subway robbers on their Segways.

Image of Chinese Anti-Terror Police on Segway from Wired

But this is Roosevelt Island Segway officer on patrol
.

Image from RIOC

Good job by the Public Safety Department and officers involved!

Are Macy's Ancient Wooden Escalators More Reliable than New Roosevelt Island Subway Escalators?

Coming home last night at around 5:30 PM, I noticed that 2 of the 3 street level escalators were not working. At least the working escalator was running in the up direction but why is there still a problem maintaining regular escalator service after the MTA's lengthy repair and replacement program. Hopefully, we can get some answers at tonight's Roosevelt Island Transportation Community Forum.

Reader comments on this post regarding the new escalators include:

Meanwhile, by Friday evening, 10/17, 2 of the new big escalators were out. Meanwhile, the Macy's wooden escalators from the 1930's(?) are still working beautifully.

And:

Update: as of Monday evening, 10/20, 3 of the new big escalators are out. This is the most dysfunctional government project I've ever seen...if you don't count all the rest of them. NEVER support bigger gov't - you're better off flushing the money down the toilet.

For the commute this morning 2 of the 3 sets of Roosevelt Island subway escalators were operating in both up and down direction from the street level to the lower concourse.

The MTA Elevator & Escalator Status page no longer indicates that the Roosevelt Island escalators are out of service as part of the Capital Replacement/Rehabilitation program but two are reported to be just out of service.

Subway Robbery, Assault, Dispute Over Apartment Viewing Fee and Other Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident Reports For October 7 - 21

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department from RIOC

Here are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for October 7 - October 21 2008. Incidents included:

• Robbery in Roosevelt Island subway (10/20)
• assault (10/10)
• graffiti (10/9, 10, 12, 16, 18)
• domestic dispute (10/9, 20)
• dispute over fee for viewing apartment (10/10)
• bicyclist struck by car (10/10)
• unauthorized doing of laundry/theft/damage (10/12, 20)
• Tram stuck for 2-5 minutes (10/17)
• Subway elevator stuck (10/20)
  
• Lost dog found (10/19) and
• aiding ill or sick residents (10/7 -9, 11-20)
  

0700 hrs 10/07/08 - 0700 hrs 10/08/08

Aided - fell down stairs in apt and received laceration. EMS transported aided to hospital.

Investigation - Reporter notified PSD that green jeep driving on seawall struck a cat.

Accident - PSD officer while responding to possible fire, struck cat that jump in middle of roadway. Officer attempted to avoid cat. Cat was dead and put to the side. Grounds was notified for removal.

10/8/08-7:00 AM to 10/9/08-7:00 am

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Harassment- PSD responded. NYPD refused. Victim refused to press charges. No injuries.

Criminal Mischief- 2 windows broken in building. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Aided/ Investigation- Counselor called 911 due to group home youth yelling at her. NYPD responded and escorted youth outside and advised youth to go to school. No injuries.

Domestic Dispute- Father refused to give mother their child. PSD responded and father complied and returned youth.NYPD refused.

Unsecured Building materials- Numerous windows left in the corridor of building unattended. PSD checked area periodically. Ua Notified.

Reckless Endangerment - Glass bottle thrown from unknown location. Search for the source and subject yielded negative results. No injuries.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Aided- Female had stomach pain. EMS responded and transport was refused.

Unsecured vehicle- Central Parking notified and notified the owner who responded and secured the vehicle

Vehicle Accident- Between a truck and a vehicle. No injuries. NYPD report done.

Harassment- Male threatened a female and left. NYPD refused. No injuries.

Criminal Mischief- 3 degree/Dispute-between Husband and wife. Husband broke wife's laptop. PSD arrested subject and wrote Domestic Incident report. No injuries.

Aggravated Unlicenced Operator 3 degree- Motorist stopped for a violation. A computer check revealed that the driver's license was suspended and there was an outstanding warrant. Subject arrested by PSD.

0700 hrs 10/09/08 - 0700 hrs 10/10/08

Unsecured building materials - in public space and officer notified management about condition.

Dispute - Officer responded to Domestic dispute between husband and wife.

Aided - not feeling well and transported to hospital.

Aided - officer observed aided on bench. Person refused medical attention.

Smoke condition - in apt. Resident left pot on stove. No injuries or damages. Super notified.

Investigation - unknown subject tried to enter warehouse on two different days with tennis access card. Matter under investigation.

Gas leak - officer observed FDNY responding to apt for gas leak. Condition corrected by FDNY.

Reckless endangerment - unknown subject threw two plastic bottles out of window. Search was conducted with negative results.

Graffiti - officer observed graffiti. Search of area was conducted with negative results. Super was notified.

Verbal dispute - between two males. Upon PSD arrival, both parties were going there own way and stated it was a misunderstanding.

Missing property - resident made report with PSD about missing ring. Resident stated she will wait for CPOP to come back on island to file report with NYPD. Refused to have NYPD called.

Harassment - resident stated subject was harassing her. Search was conducted with negative results. NYPD refused.

Missing property - vehicle not properly secured. GPS system missing from car. Victim refused NYPD.

0700hrs 10/10/08 - 0700hrs 10/11/08

Graffiti- PSD officer observed graffiti writing inside dwelling hallway. super notified

Arrest- Motorist for failing to comply with an officer and acting disorderly in public while officer were conducting a traffic detail. Motorist was issue summons and released.

Aided/Vehicle accident- Youth struck by motorist while riding his bike. Youth

was transported to hospital with minor injuries. youth parents notified

Assault/Arrest- Male was assaulted by male subject who was later on apprehended by NYPD.

unsecured vehicle- PSD officer observed vehicle in Motorgate with the rear hatch window down.

Motorgate attendant and vehicle owner notified.

Assault- ROIC bus driver observed one male being assaulted by five males subject, reported to PSD. officers later on founded victim on seawall with minor injuries. victim identified one subject as being at the scene but couldn't state if subject took place in the assault. EMS responded victim refused medical attention.

10/11/08-7:00 AM to 10/12/08-7:00 AM

Stuck Elevator- 5 people. UA responded. EMS refused and they refused to provide personal information. No injuries.

Harassment- Between a male and a female. PSD responded. NYPD refused. Female refused to press charges.

Disorderly Conduct- PSD arrested the subject.

Unlawful Possession marihuana- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

10/12/08 0700hrs to 10/13/08 0700hrs

Graffiti- Im building. Urban American notified. Search for the subject yield negative results.

Escort- Male escorted to tenants apartment to remove his property.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Confiscated Property- TLC driver had someone else's TLC license. It was secured in PSD. TLC to be notified.

Domestic Incident- Between mother and daughter. NYPD prepared a report. No injuries.

Possible Trespassing- An Employee responded after his work hours to allegedly do his laundry. PSD responded and escorted him out. His illegally parked vehicle was issued a summons.

10/13/08-7:00 AM to 10/14/08-7:00 AM

Criminal Mischief- Broken Window. UA notified. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Unsecured vehicle- central Parking have working number of the owner. It was checked by PSD various times.

Investigation- female stated that she received threatening phone calls. NYPD responded.

Aided- Female felt pain and EMS responded. Transport was refused.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Verbal Dispute- NYPD refused. No injuries.

Dispute- Over the use of a dryer. PSD responded and resolved the matter.

Aided- Female awoke and heard her ankle break. EMS responded and transporter her to the Hospital.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Criminal Mischief- 5 Windows were broken Search for the subject yielded negative results. Mini Bus Supervisor notified.

Found property- A package was found by PSD and returned to the owner.

Criminal Mischief- In Building a cracked window. search for the subject yielded negative results. UA Super notified.

10/14/08-7:00 AM to 10/15/08-7:00 AM

Arrest - PSD officer observed two male subjects-one with open container, the other for littering. Summonses issued.

Investigation - Tenant requested PSD to respond because Verizon was working on her phone line. Her phone line was damaged.

Criminal Mischief - PSD officer observed crack glass on lobby door. Search made with negative results. Super notified.

Verbal dispute - Two females exchanged words on tram cabin over female fixing her hair. Both left without incident

Aided - Female tenant felt weak and fainted. Transported to hospital.

Criminal Mischief - Owner of vehicle observed scratches on front right side when he returned. Search made with negative results. Victim will notify NYPD on his own.

Aided/EDP - PSD officer responded to apt for male unconscious after taking medication and alcohol. NYPD on scene EMS transported to hospital.

Property damage - Construction equipment windows broken rear of 900 Main St. Search made with negative results. NYPD refused.

10/15/08-7:00 AM to 10/16/08-7:00 AM

Criminal Possession of Marijuana- Subject arrested by PSD.

Open Container/Alcohol- Subject arrested by PSD.

Harassment- PSD responded. no injuries. Search for the subject yielded negative results. NYPD refused.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Missing Property- Female gave a relative her handbag and upon her return money was missing. NYPD refused.

Hazardous Condition- Elevator sign was hanging on a screw. Central Parking notified.

0700 hrs 10/16/08 - 0700 hrs 10/17/08

Verbal dispute - between mother and daughter. Daughter didn't want to go to school. PSD responded and spoke to child and left for school without incident.

Aided - friend called PSD after no answer via phone. PSD responded to apt with super and checked apt.- tenant was not home. Apt was secured by super.

Aided - child at PS 217 had chest pain. EMS was notified and transported to hospital. Parent was notified by school.

Aided - fell down in apt. EMS was notified. Aided refused medical attention.

Graffiti - officer observed graffiti in stairwell. Search of area conducted with negative results.

Verbal dispute - between two people over fee for viewing apt on RI. PSD responded and corrected condition without further incident.

Unreasonable noise from auto - officer observed loud noise coming from auto. Summons was issued.

Noise complaint - officer received complaint on loud noise during late hours front of his building. Matter to be referred to 2300x0700 tour.

0700 hrs. Friday October 17th 2008 try 0700 hrs. Saturday October 18th 2008.

Stuck Tram - PSO Officer observed cabin not moving. Tram personnel stated delay in service for about two to five minutes and would resume.

Aided - Female reports hitting left on the wall. PSD Officer escorted to 501 Main St. Doctors Office. EMS refused.

Aided - Female tenant reported having lower back pain. EMS transported to the Hospital.

Aided - Male youth entered PSD stated having pain in right hand pinkie finger. EMS transported to the Hospital.

Stuck elevator - PSD Responded to 560 Lobby, female tenant refused Medical attention. No injuries noticed.

10/18/08-7:00 AM to 10/19/08-7:00 AM

Graffiti- In Building. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Vehicle Accident- Truck hit the ramp. RIOC notified. Information obtained. No injuries.

Fire/DOA- Elderly female deceased due to apt fire. FDNY, PSD, NYPD, and EMS responded. FDNY ruled fire as accidental.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital =by EMS.

Verbal Dispute- Between Mother and daughter. Mother refused to talk to daughter on phone. NYPD refused no injuries.

Criminal Mischief- Broken Window. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA Notified.

Urinating in Public - Subject arrested by PSD.

Unreasonable Noise/Disorderly Conduct- Subject arrested by PSD.

10/19/08-7:00 AM to 10/20/08-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Lost property- Apt keys secured in PSD.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Found Dog- Dog temporalty lost and found by PSD

Trash Can Fire- Extinguished by FDNY. No injuries. Trash can damaged. RIOC personnel notified.

Hazardous Condition- Lights out in Motorgate Garage. Central Parking notified.

Family Dispute- Between Mother and Daughter. matter referred to Family Court. No injuries.

Investigation- A motorist could not locate his vehicle. PSD located it.

10/20/08-7:00 AM to 10/21/08-7:00 AM

Aided- Male adult stuck in the Elevator. PSD and UA responded. he was removed and refused EMS.

Criminal Mischief- Two Dryer Machine doors were damaged. A search for the subject yielded negative results. RY Super notified. NYPD refused.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Robbery-PSD Officer notified by two good Samaritans of a female robbed in the Roosevelt Island Subway Station. PSD Officer immediately conveyed the information received to all PSD member on duty. A search was completed and both male subjects were apprehended with no further incident.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Petit Larceny- Clothing were taken from dryer by unknown subject. Search for the clothes and subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Aided/Gas Smell- PSD and UA responded the tenant was not home. the door was locked and secured by UA. Condition corrected.

Graffiti- In building. Search for the subject yielded negative results for the subject.. UA notified.

Aggravated Harassment- Tenant receiving annoying phone calls. NYPD responded. Calls related to alleged gift of a computer. Matter referred to Civil Court.

Investigation/Suspicious male- Search for the subjects yielded negative results.

Investigation- Subject panhandling in a store then left. Search conducted for the subject with negative results. NYPD refused.

Malfunctioning Elevator-In the subway. NYPD and FDNY responded. It was thought that someone was stuck inside. But there was no one.

False Alarm- Cleaning for the Bank accidently set the alarm off. PSD confirmed

information. the Bank was in order. The alarm was reset.

Silent Alarm- At the School. PSD responded and checked the area. No signs of forced entry. All in order.

Domestic Dispute- Between female and Boyfriend. PSD and NYPD responded. All in order.No injuries.

Roosevelt Island Community Forum On Transportation Issues - Tuesday, October 21 7-9 PM

Roosevelt Island Community Transportation Forum Flyer Image from Manhattan Borough President Stringer's Office

There will be a Community Forum on Tuesday night, October 21 from 7-9 PM at the Good Shepherd Church focusing on Roosevelt Island transportation issues. Here is a good opportunity to find out answers and ask questions about the many transportation issues facing Roosevelt Island in the future including:

• Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization Program
• Transportation Plans during Tram outage
• Overcrowding at Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station
• Subway escalators out of service
• Improved NYC Bus Service
• Improved Red Bus Service
  
• Ferry Service
  
• pedestrian access to the 59th Street Bridge from Roosevelt Island and
• emergency evacuation
  

Roosevelt Island Halloween Safety Day Wednesday October 22 And Children's Parade On Saturday October 25

Happy Halloween image from RIOC

RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra send along the following message to the Roosevelt Island community:

I just wanted to share that the Department of Public Safety will be co-sponsoring a Halloween Safety Day with Safe Kids NYC and the NY Public Library - Roosevelt Island Branch. It will take place on Wednesday, October 22nd from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in front of the Library on Main Street. All kids are welcome to stop by and pick up some safety tips and some goodies.

SAFE KIDS NYC
RIOC PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
NY PUBLIC LIBRARY ROOSEVELT ISLAND BRANCH

Present

HALLOWEEN SAFETY DAY

WEDENESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008


The Library
524 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

From 5:00PM to 6:00PM

Remember that Saturday, October 25 will be the annual Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade starting at Blackwell House (12 PM) and walking north towards PS/IS 217 followed by a festive party. Roosevelt Island 360 has highlights from last year's parade.

Roosevelt Island Eastwood Resident Killed in Early Saturday Morning Fire

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

A Roosevelt Island resident was killed in a fire early Saturday morning. According to the NY Times:

A 64-year-old woman was killed in a fire early on Saturday at a residential building on Roosevelt Island, according to the police and the Fire Department.

The fire broke out about 5:30 a.m. on the 11th floor of the building, at 546 Main Street, where many older and disabled people live, the authorities said.

The woman, identified by the police as Mary Madriguera, 64, was found during a search of the floor. Fire marshals were investigating, but the Fire Department said it appeared that she had been smoking in bed in her apartment, No. 1106....

Roosevelt Island 360, via NYC Fire.net has the sequence of events

Image of Fire Marshall investigating Eastwood fire from NY Times

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra reports:

On Saturday, October 18, 2008, the Fire Alarm sounded at Public Safety Headquarters. Our officers immediately responded to the 11th floor of 546 Main Street. Unfortunately, due to a blazing fire, Ms. Madriguera passed away. Later, I surveyed the scene. We were very lucky the fire was contained to unit 1106.

The officers from the Public Safety Department did a great job of venting the hallway and evacuating the residents from the surrounding floors down to the Senior Citizens' Center. FDNY was diligent in putting out the fire with little damage to the rest of the floor. U.A. Building Management did a great job of expeditiously repainting the hallway. Media from all major stations were here covering this unfortunate incident. My condolences go out to the family of the deceased.