Be Careful - Another Roosevelt Island Credit Card Identity Theft and Stray Voltage Incident This Past Weekend

Identity Theft Image from Identity Theft FAQ

A couple of troubling incidents reported to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department this weekend.

The first is a report of a credit card identity theft:

0700hrs 01/30/09- 0700hrs 01/31/09
ID Theft- Victim enters PSD to report unknown subject opened eight different credit cards and sent them to different apartments. NYPD took report.

The issue of credit card identity theft problem on Roosevelt Island was discussed at the 1/7 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) meeting and is one of the items that the RIRA Island Services Committee will be focusing upon.

The other incident involved a dog receiving an electrical shock from a light pole. According to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report:

2/1/09-7:00 AM to 2/2/09-7:00 AM
Hazardous Condition/Animal Aided- A dog received an electrical currant from a light pole. The dog was transported to an Animal Care facility. It was checked and released. RIOC personnel on scene. Con Edison shut off electricity to the light pole.

There was a similar stray voltage incident last June when a person was injured from an electric shock by a light pole near the Trellis. A product that should be looked into is this from Man Hole Safety:

The Electrified Cover Safeguard™ is the patented warning concept and technology which produces a visual and/or an audible warning to alert the public, workers, and pets of a potential electrocution hazard from stray voltage. These warnings also assist utilities and municipalities to quickly locate and repair dangerous electrified manhole covers, utility boxes and light poles.

Light Pole image from Askew - Not necessarily the light pole that caused shock

Update - 2/3 - Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra provides additional information on these two incidents:

The Identity Theft caper involved a non-island resident who stated that an unknown person opened 8 credit cards that were sent to different apartments at 540 Main St. With the help of the issuing bank, he was able to cancel the cards before any charges could be made on them. NYPD also filed a report on this and the 114th Pct. Detectives are investigating further.

A dog was electricuted by a 110 volt charge coming from a light-pole near the train station. The dog was immediately transported by the Public Safety Department to the Animal Hospital in Manhattan. Thankfully, the dog has recovered and is fine. Con Edison turned off the power from that light-pole and should be making appropriate repairs shortly.