Roosevelt Island On The Web Links

Roosevelt Island on the Web Links as appearing in the April 18 Main Street WIRE:

Roosevelt Islander - RI Gang Initiation Assault
Roosevelt Island 360 - Tests Crowded F Train
NY Times - Roosevelt Island Kimono Maker
Beauty of Kimono - Kimono Dream Blossoms on Roosevelt Island
City Room - Video of Renwick Stabilization
Brooklyn Vegan - Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Summer Concert Series
Queens Gazette - RIHS Tells Story Of 59th St. Bridge Trolley
Queens Gazette - Queensboro Bridge Centennial refers to RI Elevator
NY Times - Rescue Me Shoots on RI Bridge
Environmental News Service - Verdant East River Turbines First In US
Retro Info - View of Roosevelt Island From Carl Shurz Park
NY Times - Rides the RI Tram For The First Time
Barnard Barbelle - Explores Roosevelt Island
City Room - RI 360 Suggests Phillipe Petit Walk Tram Wire
NYCANIA - Roosevelt Island Cow
Rhapsody In Books - Billie Holiday Jailed On Roosevelt Island
Atlantic Yards Report - Atlantic Yards Not Roosevelt Island
Poor Rich Kids - Take A Date To Roosevelt Island
Veronica Wallstrom - Roosevelt Island A Google Print Station
You Tube - Roosevelt Island Red Bus and MTA Bus
You Tube - Matt & Kim Unamplified Southpoint Park Concert
You Tube - Roosevelt Island Tram at Night With Vocal
You Tube - Abstract Renwick Ruins

High School and College Internships Available With Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin

Image from NYC Council

Received the following message from Council Member Jessica Lappin's office regarding internship opportunities with her office this summer.

Internship opportunities
Summer opportunities for high school and college students

My office is looking for our team of summer interns. We’re looking for a dedicated group of high school and college students who are willing to work in my legislative or district offices. It’s an excellent opportunity to get a close first hand look at what exactly it means to be part of local government. Interns will respond to constituent and community concerns, attend hearings, and take on special projects of interest to the community. Interested students should contact Taina Prado by calling (212) 980-1808 or e-mailing tprado@council.nyc.gov.

Help Keep Roosevelt Island Clean And Pick Up Some Free Art Supplies

A reader sent in the following message seeking volunteers to help keep Roosevelt Island clean.

Clean-Up Group Meets Saturday 4-18 at 10 am at Kiosk

Join Teri Gendron and make our Island shine.

Let's get together this Saturday, April 18, for a clean-up event. We can
admire the spring blossoms and put away the trash.

Meet at the kiosk and then head down to South Park and work our way back
north. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

Web Urbanist shows how some have turned trash into art:

The cliche is that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” but the author of that phrase probably never realized how strangely true it could turn out to be. In today’s world of weird and amazing art some of the most compelling and creative works have been born out of the simplest and most abundant of materials: garbage....

You Tube Video of Trash Art

Any artists out there want to make use of some Roosevelt Island trash?

Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island-Holograms, Scavenger Hunt, Bach Bartok Brahms, Go Green Expo & RI Tour

You Tube Video of Go Green Expo New York City

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

On Friday, Free NYC suggests heading over to Long Island City's Center For Holographic Art. According to Free NYC:

Tonight kicks off Light Magic, a retrospective exhibition of Rudie Berkhout's holograms and laser works to celebrate his life in art. Rudy Berkhout (1946 – 2008), born in Amsterdam, started working in holography in New York in 1975. He was a pioneer of intricate new imaging techniques that capture the magic and mystery of light....

Saturday is the Watson Adventures' Free Scavenger Hunt Day. According to Newyorkology:

To celebrate its 10th year, Watson Adventures has declared April 18 as Free Scavenger Hunt Day.

In New York, you can take part in the Secrets of the East Village Scavenger Hunt, The Meatpacking District Dash Scavenger Hunt, or the (insert your own economy-in-shambles joke here) The Secrets of Wall Street Scavenger Hunt....

Make sure you register early because spots may fill up quickly.

After the Scavenger Hunt, come on over later Saturday (8 PM) to Roosevelt Island for a free night of Classical Music with Bach, Bartok & Brahms at the Rosemarie Robin Russell Family Concert Series.

On Sunday, check out the Go Green Expo. From the NY Times Spare Times:

GO GREEN EXPO With displays, discussions and other activities that highlight eco-friendly practices and goods for businesses and consumers. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, at 53rd Street, gogreenexpo.com; $10 for a two-day pass; free for students.

In addition to the Bach, Bartok & Brahms Classical Music Concert, on Roosevelt Island this weekend the Farmers Market will be open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting a group show titled Vernissage 8. Also, RIOC has produced a great self guided tour map (PDF File) of Roosevelt Island for any visitor or resident looking to stroll the Island and learn something more about it.

Good weekend transportation news. The MTA is reporting normal Roosevelt Island F Train subway service in both directions and RIOC is not reporting any Tram service advisories either.

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

Roosevelt Island's Main Street WIRE On The Web - RIOC Board Candidate Nominations, Ad & Grant Writing Help, Art Review, Nellie Bly & Money

Image of Main Steet WIRE Logo

Individual articles from Roosevelt Island's local community newspaper, The Main Street WIRE, are now more easily accessible on the web. Below are links to the 3/21/09 issue. Links to individual articles from the 4/4/09 issue are not yet available.

RIRA Seeking Candidates For RIOC Board Nominations.
RICLA To Provide Advertising Support For Roosevelt Island Cultural Organizations.
RICLA To Provide Grant Seeking Support For Roosevelt Island Organizations.
Review of Gallery RIVAA Vernissage 8 Show.
10 Days In A Madhouse By Nellie Bly Excerpt.
Money Saving Tips.
MTA Cease & Desist Foolishness Editorial.

Green Roof Proposed For Roosevelt Island's Motorgate Garage By Columbia U Team - See What Else May Be Coming To Roosevelt Island In The Future!

Image by Columbia University Transportation Study Group

A Green Roof Garden for Roosevelt Island's ugly and sterile Motorgate Parking Garage together with a Pedestrian friendly ground floor retail corridor and more attractive Farmers Market Space are among the recommendations made by the Columbia University Urban Planning team that will be presenting their ideas tonight at 7:30 in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). I have seen an earlier version of their presentation that had many interesting ideas and it is well worth taking the time to attend tonight's meeting.

Image by Columbia University Transportation Study Group

The Main Street WIRE sends the following bulletin regarding the presentation:

Columbia University Grad Students Presenting Transportation Study to R.I. Community Thursday at 7:30.

Graduate students of Columbia University will brief Roosevelt Islanders on their study of the Island's transportation this Thursday night (April 16) at 7:30 in the Good Shepherd Community Center.

A limited number of residents who have had a preview call the students' work comprehensive and imaginative. It is strongly visualized and packed with facts about traffic, ridership, subway capabilities, destination data, and much more.

Led by Dr. Floyd Lapp, an adjunct professor of planning, the students considered a wide variety of transportation options and alternatives for the Island. A preview of their presentation indicates that the study has addressed issues like reconfiguration of Main Street traffic and the possibility of mixed use of the "channel" between Main Street buildings, pedestrian access to theQueensboro Bridge, a reworking of street-parking and Motorgate rates to free up Main Street parking, a long-term program of gradually discouraging use of cars, reduction of Main Street traffic signage, and measures to eliminate the bunching of red buses that leaves extended periods without service at rush hour.

The presentation will begin at 7:30 in the Good Shepherd Community Center, Thursday night at 7:30.

Image by Columbia University Transportation Study Group

One of the ideas that I hope the Columbia students addressed was the feasibility of having Car Free Days on Roosevelt Island as this Daily News article reported will be returning to Williamsburg and other NYC neighborhoods this summer.

...Civic and business associations in Williamsburg and Brooklyn Heights have applied for city permits to repeat last year's successful projects that limited car traffic to through streets along a several-block stretch of two shopping corridors....

And:

... Last year's car-free weekend permits also were in effect in Jackson Heights, Queens and along Park Ave. and Lafayette St. in Manhattan.
The Transportation Department did not reveal which other Brooklyn streets permits were requested for this year.
"We are in the process of reviewing applications from communities across the five boroughs seeking to hold car-free events this summer," a Transportation Department spokesman said....

As we all know, developing innovative ideas is a great intellectual exercise, the challenge is to find ways to have them implemented in the real world if appropriate.

UPDATE - 6/17 - The NY Times has more on green roofs and urban farming:

... City dwellers have long cultivated pots of tomatoes on top of their buildings. But farming in the sky is a fairly recent development in the green roof movement, in which owners have been encouraged to replace blacktop with plants, often just carpets of succulents, to cut down on storm runoff, insulate buildings and moderate urban heat.

A survey by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which represents companies that create green roofs, found the number of projects its members had worked on in the United States grew by more than 35 percent last year. In total, the green roofs installed last year cover 6 million to 10 million square feet, the group said....

Roosevelt Island Bridge Closing Update - Next Closing Scheduled For April 17

Roosevelt Island Bridge In Open Position from NYC Roads

Roosevelt Island Bridge closing update from RIOC President Steve Shane:

The bridge was closed to traffic as scheduled at 12:30AM April 16 and reopened to traffic at 4:40 AM. Note that Pedestrians were allowed to cross the bridge at 3:45 AM.
Emergency services (NYPD, NYFD and EMS) units were all on station and the Tram and Red Bus ran throughout the night during the closure. There were no reported incidents.

The next bridge closure is scheduled for April 17 from 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM, weather permitting.

Bach, Bartok & Brahms Classical Music Program At Roosevelt Island's Rosemarie & Robin Russell Family Concert Series - Saturday Night At 8

Bach Bartok Brahms Cello Image From R&R Concerts

The second 2009 Rosemarie & Robin Russell Family Concert Series will be held this Saturday, April 18, 8PM at Roosevelt Island's Chapel of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Steet) with a free classical music program of Bach, Bartok & Brahms. The musicians performing are:

• Jean Schneider, piano
• Gilad Harel, clarinet
  
• Ralph Allen, violin
• Iris Jortner, cello

Their previous Roosevelt Island concerts have been excellent and well attended. Among the comments from prior concert goers:

• "...the program choices are great, the performers energetic and the space is great for chamber music." 3 viewers betw ages 20 to 59.
• "Wonderful music and musicians. It's rare to hear string trios; that was a real treat. I like the balance of Baroque, classical and contemporary pieces. Church acoustics were just right - not too echoey for the selection they played. And it was free! Great turn out; great flyers; great musicians! Thank you!!". From 2 visitors from New Jersey ages 20 to 59.
• "This event is comparable to a performance at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful concert with our community." From 3 local people betw ages 0 to 59.

Some background on the Concert Series:

The late Rosemarie and Robin Russell together organized numerous concerts and events on Roosevelt Island; they wanted to encourage music education and appreciation. Robin spoke about organizing a concert series which would bring music to Roosevelt Island on a regular basis.

After Rosemarie passed away, Robin continued their mission on Roosevelt Island and founded the Island Arts Music School. He established programs with the new Roosevelt Island communities at Southtown and Octagon. He had just started Musikids, a music and dance experience class for toddlers. Music was the catalyst and the reward. Robin was the director, secretary, accountant and one of the teachers at the school. Robin died unexpectedly in February, 2007, leaving our community at a tremendous loss.

In 2007, staff and students of Island Arts Music School rallied together to hold three events: a concert in Robin’s memory, a final student recital dedicated to Robin and a holiday event presented as a gift from the musicians to the community. The audiences responded warmly with appreciation, enthusiasm, and support in remembrance of what the Russell Family brought to Roosevelt Island....

More Details On Shooting Incident at Roosevelt Island's 2-4 River Road

Another update on shooting incident at Roosevelt Island's 2-4 River Road from RIOC President Steve Shane:

You can tell your snide poster Barinthus that the person became the target of a setup when he was in a strip club off the Island, picked up a "lady" and returned with her to the Island where he was confronted by the lady's accomplice who pulled the gun, got into a struggle for possession of the weapon, shots were fired, the glass was shattered, the accomplice and the lady fled, NYPD arrived and took the vic into custody, along with the gun, and subsequently released him on the videotape evidence from the strip club and the security cameras at 2-4. Thus there was off Island activity which resulted in on Island gunshots. How could you make this stuff up? Why would Barinthus believe that I would?

I did not lay all of this out because it was really not necessary. Need to know basis?

Mr. Shane was referring to the comment below from this post yesterday.

so this is an off the island incident in which a gunshot was fired in front of manhattan park? Please explain how off the island and on the island are overlapping here?

Early Morning Swimming Hours For Roosevelt Island's Sportspark Facililty - Opens At 6 AM!

Image of Sportspark Pool From RIOC

Are you an early morning person looking for something different to do on Roosevelt Island while everybody else is sleeping? If so, you might want to check out the Swimming Pool at Sportspark, 250 Main Street just south of the Tennis Bubble, which opens at 6 AM.

The Hours of Operation for Adult and Open Swimming at Roosevelt Island's Sportspark are available below.

NEW HOURS - Open Swim
(all ages allowed)

Monday - Friday
6:00 am-11:00 am
Admission:
$5.00 per Adult (18-64)
$3.00 per Child (4-17)
Seniors FREE
No Charge Infants (3 and under)
All children (4-17) must be accompanied by an adult, with no more than 4 children per 1 adult.
All infants (3 and under) must have one-on-one supervision with a paying adult (18 or older)

Open Swim Times
(all ages allowed)
Thursday 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
Admission:
$5.00 per Adult (18-64)
$3.00 per Child (4-17)
Seniors FREE
No Charge Infants (3 and under)
All children (4-17) must be accompanied by an adult, with no more than 4 children per 1 adult.
All infants (3 and under) must have one-on-one supervision with a paying adult (18 or older)

Adult Swim Times
(18 and older only please)
Tuesday 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday 4:00 pm-7:00 pm
Admission:
$5.00 per Adult (18-64)
Seniors FREE

More on Roosevelt Island swimming here.

Swimming is great exercise for people of all ages and physical condition. According to WebMD:

Read More!

... Exercise physiologist Robert A. Robergs says swimming is a good fitness choice for just about everyone, especially those who have physical limitations or who find other forms of exercise painful.

"It is a good, whole-body exercise that has low impact for people with arthritis, musculoskeletal, or weight limitations," says Robergs, director of the exercise physiology laboratories at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Water's buoyancy accommodates the unfit as well as the fit. Water cushions stiff joints or fragile bones that might be injured by the impact of land exercises. When immersed to the waist, your body bears just 50% of its weight; immersed to the chest, it's 25%-35%; and to the neck, 10%....

And:

...Not only is swimming easy on the body, it's a great way to get fit, according to Tay Stratton, head swim coach at the Little Rock Athletic Club.

Swimming recruits all the major muscle groups, including the shoulders, back, abdominals, legs, hips, and glutes, she says. And because water affords 12 times the resistance as air in every direction, it really helps to build strength, she says.

"It's cardiovascular and strengthening at the same time, and not many workouts have that," says Stratton.

But can swimming help you lose weight?

There are some questions about how efficiently swimming burns calories, says Robergs.

"Research done on swimming showed that weight loss seemed more difficult," he says. "The theory is that the water submersion initiates a complex [nerve pathway] to lower metabolic rate." And with a lower metabolic rate, the body uses fewer calories to maintain normal function.

While Robergs says these explanations need further research, Stratton says swimming can be a boon for weight loss -- if you follow the same principles as with any other exercise, and challenge yourself.

For weight loss, Stratton recommends interval training, in which you push yourself hard for short spurts, and then drop back to a less-intense level of exercise.

"If you don't do interval training, it's just as if you're doing a slow walk," Stratton says...

Let's get into the POOL!

Update To Roosevelt Island Shooting At 2-4 River Road

RIOC President sends the following update concerning the Tuesday morning (4:30 AM) shooting outside of Manhattan Park's 2-4 River Road.

Be advised that the apprehended person who fired the shots on Monday night/Tuesday morning has been released by NYPD. He established to their satisfaction that he was the victim of a setup/mugging from a location off Island and that he wrestled the weapon away from the other person involved in self defense, during which struggle the shots were fired and the window shattered.

Another example of why we all should not jump to conclusions.

In response to an inquiry whether this was a random incident Mr. Shane also added:

According to our information, unreliable as it may be, the individual became the object based on off Island activity and it was very specific to him.

Update - 4/16

Gun Shots Fired In Front Of Roosevelt Island's 2-4 River Road

Gun shot were fired early this morning in front of Roosevelt Island's 2-4 River Road, part of the Manhattan Park building complex. According to the Roosevelt Island 4/13-14 Daily Public Safety Incident Report:

Shots Fired- At 4:30 am an altercation between 2 males front of 2-4 River Road. One male pulled a fire arm and discharged the weapon, shattering the glass of 2-4 River Road. NYPD on scene. Individual apprehended. Fire arm recovered. No injuries.

Asked to provide additional information, RIOC President Steve Shane responded:

At approximately 4:30 AM on the morning of April 14, 2009, NYPD responded to a 911 call of shots fired at 2-4 River Road. The security guard placed the call.

There apparently had been 2 men arguing outside, one pulled a gun and fired 2 shots, one of which shattered the lobby door window.

NYPD apprehended the shooter and recovered the weapon. The other person involved fled the scene and remains at large.

There were no injuries.

Public Safety responded and assisted NYPD at the scene.

UPDATE - 4/15

Stabilizing Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Before It Falls Down - Is That A Good Thing?

Renwick Ruins Restoration Video From NY Time City Room Blog

The NY Times City Room Blog visits Roosevelt Island's Spooky House, otherwise known as the Renwick Ruins, to view the progress made by RIOC and The Trust For The Public Land in keeping what some believe to be a haunted remnant of Roosevelt Island's eerie past from completely collapsing upon itself. The cost of the stabilization project is $4.5 million. According to the article:

...The freestanding granite, brick and rubblestone walls have been repointed. Even more noticeably, the first two of five steel framework towers have been erected within the walls. These towers will be connected to the old walls to help keep the remaining structure upright while permanent plans are drawn up for its reuse. The happiest discovery of the project was that the necessary bracing could be constructed entirely inside the picturesque walls, which are illuminated at night. There turned out to be no need for exterior scaffolding....

The Trust For Public Land's Andy Stone even envisions the possibility of a future performance space or seasonal cafe occupying a renovated Renwick Ruins though to make the Ruins safe for actual use will cost tens of millions of dollars more. Highly unlikely.

As long as the Renwick Ruins are standing it will always be cordoned off behind a chained fence preventing people from gaining access to it. Perhaps it is time to reevaluate whether preserving the Renwick Ruins is a good thing or if it would be better to acknowledge reality, knock it down and build a new performance space or cafe in its place.

Image of Renwick Ruins Behind Chain Link Fence from Press HD

Public Safety Department Cars Parking In Front Of Rivercross

Three Public Safety Department Cars Parked on Main Street in Front of Rivercross Building

Received the following message from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra concerning the parking of Public Safety Cars in front of Rivercross Building:

Please be advised that the Public Safety Department is undergoing a much needed renovation. We have temporarily moved our operation from 552 Main Street to 504 Main Street. Unfortunately, this has necessitated the need to secure three parking spaces opposite 504. While there is a need for the three parking spaces opposite 552 to be used for construction vehicles and/or dumpsters during the hours of 7:00AM and 4:00PM, we encourage the residents to use them for overnight parking.

We realize that this has caused a level of concern for the residents of Main Street, especially those from Rivercross. We apologize for this temporary inconvenience and vow to restore the spaces upon completion of the work in approximately 4 months. We will also do our best to insure that the Rivercross service entrance, that we recently increased to 18 ft. , is not blocked. Thank you for your continued support and we remain at your service.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Reports 3/11 Thru 4/13 - Public Lewdness, Possession of Weapon, Tram Surge, Unsecured Postal Door & Assault

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Shield From RIOC

RIOC is posting the most current Daily and February 2009 Monthly Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident reports on their web site. Also, available is a breakdown of Roosevelt Island Public Safety incidents by location and category (the Blotter) for the month of February 2009. The Monthly Public Safety Reports for March have not yet been posted. Will link to them as soon as they are available.

Below are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for March 11 - April 13, 2009. Incidents include:

• Public Lewdness (3/11)
• Electric Box Wires Exposed (3/11)
• Cell Phone Stolen(3/13)
• Check Found and returned to owner/secured by PS (3/13,16)
• Profanity in Public (3/13,14)
• MTA Substation Unsecured (3/16)
• Hazardous Condition - Stop Sign Needed by PS/IS 217
• Two officers Fell Through Floor of Renwick Ruins Apprehending Trespassers (3/20)
• Suspicious Activity - Library Employee and Non-Employee in the Library (3/21)
• Bicycle Stolen (3/23)
• Unauthorized Apartment Move Out (3/28)
• Criminal Possession Of Weapon (3/28)
• Tram Power Surge Caused Temporary Service Disruption ( 4/2,6, 7)
• 7 Youths Involved In Assault (4/4)
• Unsecured Postal Door ( 4/9, 10)
• Rocks Thrown at Public Safety Vehicle (4/10) and
  
• Suspicious Vehicle Driving Around Mini Bus Garage (4/12)
  

3/11/09-7:00 AM to 3/12/09-7:00 AM

Possible Hazardous Condition- Smell of gas in apt. FDNY, PSD and UA responded. The gas was shut off. Tenant to receive a new stove. No injuries.

Aggravated Harassment- Tenant stated that subject calls her repeatedly and hangs up. She will go to NYPD and file a report.

Investigation- Illegal Activity- Report of us of Marijuana in the stairwells. PSD to monitor the area. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Public Lewdness- Reporter stated incident occurred on 3/10/09. NYPD refused. PSD to monitor the area.

Aided- Male fell from wheelchair. EMS and PSD responded. Transport was refused.

Improper Use of Horn- Report that last three days unknown motorist uses horn several times for extended amount of time.

PSD to monitor the area.

Hazardous Condition- Electrical Box has exposed wires. PSD secured the box with a lock. No injuries.

3/12-3/13 NA

Read More!



0700 hrs. Friday March 13th 2009 - 0700 hrs. Saturday March 14th 2009.

Petit Larceny - Male walking on fourth floor reports anonymous male subject asked to use his cell phone. Subject then fled with Phone. PSD made a search with negative results.

Escort - Female tenant request PSD to get her property from common law spouse.

Found Property - Male walked into PSD office to report a check he found on main st. PSD notified owner of property.

Arrest - PSD Officer while on a car stop observed male subject using profanity and sped off. PSD Officer stopped subject again and summonsed for disorderly conduct.

0700 hour Saturday March 14, 2009, to 0700 Hours Sunday March 15, 2009.

Disorderly Conduct: Individual using profanity in public. PSD officer issued one Criminal Court Summon on spot and released subject.

Aided- Island resident was taken to New York Hospital By EMS throwing up and with a fever

Aided-Island Visitor was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital Intoxicated.

Harassment- Island resident complaint of her stepdaughter being harass in school by class mate. No further information given. Incident referred to the Youth Officer.

3/15/09-7:00 AM to 3/16/09-7:00 AM

Dispute- Youth upset over the results of a game and was wrestling with another youth. Coach/Counselor sent youth home.

Found Property- A Black bag. It was secured in PSD. Later the owner retrieved it.

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

Lock Out- Unknown person removed RIOC lock to South Gate. MTA to be notified.

Escort- Coler Hospital patient's wheelchair not working properly. PSD escorted the patient to Coler Hospital.

Aided- A female fell in apt. EMS responded and female refused transport to the Hospital.

3/16/09-7:00 AM to 3/17/09-7:00 AM

Found Property- Green Canvas bag. It was secured in PSD. Later the owner retrieved it.

Unsecured Premises- MTA Sub Station. MTA notified.

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

Car stop/Failure to Yield to Pedestrian- Motorist also had an expired Driver's License. Summonses issued to motorist. Co Worker licensed motorist picked the vehicle.

Found Property- Check. It was secured in PSD.

Unsecured Door- Vacant apt. It was checked by PSD and in order.

Unlicenced Operator/Arrest- Motorist committed a moving violation and produced someone else's Driver's License. Subject arrested by PSD.

3/17/09-7:00 AM to 3/18/09-7:00 AM

Criminal mischief- Bus Shelter glass broken. Search for the subject yielded negative results. RIOC notified.

Aided- Female fell in apt. No injuries and PSD assisted female. EMS refused.

Hazardous Condition- Stop sign blocked by school buses f/o PS 271. Motorist proceed without stopping. Need another sign behind the stop sign on the east side facing north. RIOC notified. Area cautioned off.

Vehicle Accident- A vehicle exiting a parking spot caused scratches to a parked vehicle. Owner of parked vehicle not present. PSD report made.

Disorderly Conduct- Male loitering in hallway. PSD advised him it is not allowed. Male became irate and disorderly. Subject arrested by PSD.

Aggravated Harassment- Threats made via telephone. NYPD report made.

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

Unsecured Door- Door to premises left open. Search made with negative results. All in order. PSD locked and secured the door. Owner notified.

3/18/09-7:00 AM to 3/19/09-7:00 AM

Vehicle Accident- Pickup Truck backed into a Motorcycle and caused damage. Owner not on scene. PSD report prepared.

Trespass- 2 youth in Motorgate Garage. Search for the youth with negative results.

Chronic Noise Complaint- Referred to UA.

0700 hrs 03/19/09 - 0700 hrs 03/20/09

Aided - EMS and PSD responded to apartment for elderly female with stomach pains. Aided transported to hospital.

Aided - EMS and PSD responded for male with chest pains. Aided transported to hospital.

Criminal Mischief - Unknown subject pushed out window causing it to shatter and brake rear window of vehicle that was parked below. Search of area conducted with negative results. No injuries.

Verbal Dispute - Female resident had verbal argument with store owner. Female was escorted out of store.

Criminal Mischief - Tenant reported to PSD that unknown subject kicked his apartment door causing damage. PSD responded and conducted search with negative results. Housing Management was notified.

Verbal Physical Dispute - PSD responded to apartment for fight between two brothers, both minors. One of the brothers received scratch to the face. Mother refused EMS.

Assault - PSD responded to apartment for Domestic Dispute between husband and wife. Husband was arrested and taken to 114 pct. for processing.

Aided - PSD responded to apartment for female falling on floor. EMS responded to scene. Aided refused transport.

Aided - PSD responded for elderly female on floor. Aided was unable to open door and PSD notified Super. EMS on scene and helped aided into bed. Aided refused transport.

Open Container/Disorderly Conduct - PSD and responded to store for disorderly person. While escorting subject out of store, subject tripped on bike and received cut above eye. EMS responded and subject refused transport. Subject was issued two summonses for Open Container and Disorderly Conduct.

0700hrs 3/20/09- 0700hrs 03/21/09

Aided- Female not feeling well, transported to hospital.

Criminal Mischief- Vehicle passenger side window smashed, G.P.S. only item missing, NYPD on scene.

Peti Larceny- Groceries were left unattended on sidewalk, reporter witnessed someone other than complainant take groceries. Search was conducted with negative results.

Aided- Two males injured, fell threw floor or Ruins, transported to hospital.

Trespass- Four male subjects arrested for trespass in the Ruins. Two officers injured while apprehending subjects.

3/21/09-7:00 AM to 3/22/09-7:00 AM

Suspicious Activity- Library Employee and non employee in the Library. Non employee escorted out and Library Supervisor notified.

Open Alcohol Container/Poss Alcohol by a minor- Subject arrested by PSD.

Car stop/Investigation- Vehicle stopped for a cracked windshield. It also fit the description of a vehicle involved in a previous Grand Larceny case. NYPD conducting the investigation.

Disorderly Conduct- 2 Subjects told to disperse and did not. Both arrested by PSD.

Criminal Trespass- At Resnick Ruins. PSD assisted NYPD in arrest of 2 subjects.

Disorderly Conduct- 2 Male subjects fighting. PSD arrested a subject. Other was a youth who was issued a Youth Referral form. Both released to their parents.

3/22/09-7:00 AM to 3/23/09-7:00

Domestic Dispute- Between Mother and adult son. Son escorted out of apt. No injuries. NYPD refused.

Criminal Mischief- Bus Shelter glass broken. PSD coned area off and caution tape was put up. Grounds cleaned broken glass.

Trespass- Subject arrested by PSD.

Open Container/Alcohol- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.

Water Leak- Tenant not home. PSD and UA entered apt. UA made necessary repairs.

3/23/09-7:00 Am to 3/24/09-7:00 AM

Harassment- Between Tenant and a Nurse. NYPD responded and took a report. No injuries.

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

Investigation- Past incident where youth harassed by another. NYPD responded and spoke to both parents. Parent refused to press charges. Matter referred to the Youth Officer.

Larceny- A bicycle was taken. Search made with negative results. NYPD refused.

3/24/09-7:00 Am to 3/25/09-7:00 AM

Vehicle Accident- Delivery Truck struck a parked vehicle in the Grestides Loading Dock area. No injuries. NYPD prepared a report.

3/25/09-7:00 to 3/26/09-7:00 AM

Unlicenced Driver- Motorist disregarded a stop sign. PSD stopped him. Motorist was issued summonses. Wife a licensed driver retrieved the vehicle.

Smoke Condition- Tenant burnt food in apt. No injuries. No property damage. UA corrected the condition.

Domestic Dispute- Between husband and wife. No injuries. PSD and NYPD responded. Husband left apt. Matter referred to Family Court.

0700 hrs 03/26/09 - 0700 hrs 03/27/09

Aided - Fell on MTA blue bag coming out of subway and fell on left hand. Bag belonged to MTA worker. Aided refused transport and will see her own doctor. MTA supervisor on scene and took report.

Property Damage - As RIOC bus passed MTA #102 bus, it broke mirror on 102 bus. NYPD took report and no report of injuries.

Property Damage - Tenant reports unknown person scratched his front door by his lock. PSD responded and took report. Door lock was secured with no damage.

3/27/28 Not Available


3/28/09-7:00 AM to 3/29/09-7:00 AM

Urinating in Public- Subject arrested by PSD.

Unauthorized Move Out- Tenant notified that authorization is needed by RY Management. Moving ceased and truck left.

Criminal Mischief- Scattered Rear window of vehicle. Search for the subject yielded negative results. NYPD notified.

Criminal Poss Weapon/Unlawful poss of Marijuana/Criminal Trespass/Open Container- 4 subjects arrested by PSD and NYPD.

Trespass- 2 Subjects arrested by PSD. A third was released to parent.

Noise Complaint- Noise complaint form issued and matter referred to UA.

3/29/09-7:00 AM to 3/301/09-7:00 AM

Found Property- A grey colored bracelet. It was secured in PSD.

Possible Hazardous Condition- A Tarp covers pedestrians creating a possible hazardous condition. Dept of Transportation Supervisor notified.

Trespass-2 subjects arrested by PSD.

Aided- Male fell while playing Hockey and sustained a possible dislocated shoulder. EMS transported him to the hospital.

3/30/09-7:00 AM to 3/31/09-7:00 AM

Verbal Dispute- Between tenant and person Subletting apt. UA terminated the lease and tenant must vacate apt. Dispute ceased and person subletting moved out of apt.

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

Lost Property- A cell phone. It was secured in PSD. Later the owner came and retrieved the phone.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the hospital by E

3/31/09-7:00 AM to 4/1/09-7:00 AM

Aided- Male fell on the Queens side of the R.I. Bridge. He sustained a laceration to the nose. EMS transported him to the hospital.

Dispute- Between 2 children at School. Parent will call NYPD.

Trespass/Disorderly Conduct- 3 Subjects arrested by PSD.

4/1/09-7:00 AM to 4/2/09-7:00 AM

Court Papers Served. PSD served Family Court papers for an Island resident.

Found Property- A cell Phone. It was secured in PSD.

Trash Can Fire- It was extinguished by PSD. No injuries. No damages. Grounds notified.

Noise Complaint- 5 youths were playing cards in the hallway. They were escorted to their apt. RY Doorman notified.

Graffiti- Inside building. UA notified. Photos on file at PSD.

Criminal Mischief- Dents and damaged lock to an apt door. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Escort- Tenant requested an escort. It was provided by PSD.

Aided- Unconscious intoxicated female in the hallway. PSD responded. EMS transported female to the hospital.

0700 hours 04/02/09 - 0700 hours 04/03/09

Escort - Female came into PSD stating she was drinking and requested escort to apt. Officer provided escort to apt.

Aided/Intoxicated Female - Resident reports intoxicated female in hallway. PSD responded and requested EMS. Aided transported to hospital.

Lost Property - Female lost wallet containing various credit cards. Cards were canceled by owner. NYPD refused.

Criminal Mischief - PSD responded to cracked lobby window. Service taped up window. Camera in area does not cover that angle of the lobby.

Harassment - Female reports tenant next door left harassing letters under residents doors. Complainant reports this has been going on for years. NYPD responded and made report.

Power Surge - PSD channel stopped working in PSD. Super checked circuit breaker and reset it. Tram supervisor later stated that the tram stopped running for two minutes then resumed. No injuries or property damage resulting from surge were reported to PSD.

Aided - Stated after exiting RIOC bus, he walked into a street sign. Aided suffered small laceration to forehead and was confused. EMS was notified. Aided refused to be transported to hospital.

Flood - Tenant had flood in bathroom. Service responded and corrected condition.

4/3 -4/4 Not Available

4/4/09-7:00 AM to 4/5/09-7:00 AM

Trespass- At South Point Park. Search made with negative results.

Area in order.

Water Leak-In apt. Tenant not home. UA responded and will do repairs

on 4/6/09.

Criminal Mischief- Auto radio torn out of vehicle dash. Search for subject with negative results. Reporter will contact NYPD.

Water Leak- PSD and UA responded to apt. Tenant not home. No water Leak. UA Super locked and secured the apt.

Criminal Mischief- Door bell to apt door burnt. Search made for subject with negative results. NYPD refused.

Assault- 7 youths involved PSD escorted them to PSD. Mother of victim refused to press charges and EMS. Youths were released to the custody of their parents.

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

04/05/09 0700AM thru 04/06/09 0700AM

Aided - Intoxicated female, EMS responded and transported aided to hospital.

Smoke Condition - Tenant was cooking and burnt food. No injuries or damages reported. UA Super on scene. Windows opened to air out smoke.

Graffiti - White lettering on Octagon Men's Comfort Station door. Search conducted for subject(s) with negative results. RIOC grounds dept notified.

Harassment - Female and a male having a dispute over the use of tennis courts. Male threatened to hit her with a tennis racket and fled area.

Aided - Male sustained a laceration to his right foot at soccer field. EMS responded and transported aided to hospital.

Domestic Dispute - Female and her husband had an argument, then he threatened to hit her. PSD and NYPD responded. Female refused to give any information for herself or her husband.

Found Property - Female turned in a package found in Light House Park. Unable to notify owner. Package secured at PSD.

0700 hrs 04/06/09 - 0700 hrs 04/07/09

Found Property - Cell phone found on RIOC bus and turned over to PSD. Owner was contacted and will pick up.

Graffiti - PSD officer found graffiti on apt. door. Photo taken. Management notified.

Power Surge - Caused PSD radio channel to stop operating and Tram to cease and resume after one minute. No injuries or property damage resulting from power surge.

4/7/09-7:00 AM to 4/8/09-7:00 AM

Power Surge- At Tram and effected PSD radio frequency. Power off for one minute. No injuries or property damage.

Homeless- PSD responded and conducted a search with negative results. PSD conducting periodic checks of the Avac area for homeless.

Unsecured Property- 2 bicycles that were chained to street sign poles were removed and secured in PSD.

Smoke Condition- Tenant burnt food. No injuries and no property damage.

UA responded with PSD.

04/08/09 0700hrs- 04/09/09 0700hrs

Aided- Female not feeling well, transported to hospital.

Alarm Investigation- PSD receive a call from ADT, PSD responded to the Warehouse, search made area in order.

0700 hrs 04/09/09 - 0700 hrs 04/10/09

Fire - PSD and Fire Department responded to possible fire. Fire was extinguished by Manhattan Park security. No injuries reported.

Trespass - PSD responded to South Point Park. Two male subjects were apprehended. Subjects were issued summonses and released.

Unsecured Door - PSD responded to mail room door open and no postal worker inside. Postal supervisor responded and secured door. Supervisor reports that tenants have been complaining of mail being stolen and is being investigated by Postal Police.

4/10/09-7:00 AM to 4/11/09-7:00 AM

Trespass-2 Subjects arrested by PSD.

Fire- FDNY and PSD responded. 2-4 River Road Security guard extinguished

it. No injuries or property damage. Manhattan Park Management notified.

Water Leak- Tenant corrected the water leak in apt. RY Management notified.

Rocks Thrown- At PSD vehicle from Blackwell House Park. No injuries and no damages to the vehicle. Youth escorted out of the park.

Graffiti- In building. Search made with negative results. UA notified.

Unsecured Roof Door- Debris found leading to the roof door. The lock was tampered with. Search conducted with negative results for subject. UA notified.

Trespass/Alcohol Open Container/ Disorderly Conduct- 4 Subjects arrested by PSD.

Unsecured Postal Room-In building. US Postal Service and Superintendent notified. PSD conducted periodic checks of the area. Postal personnel responded and secured the door.

Unsecured Vehicle- Window found open. Owner of the vehicle was notified and stated she will secure it. PSD conducted periodic checks of the vehicle.

4/11/09-7:00 AM to 4/12/09-7:00 AM

Papers served- PSD served Family Court Papers.

Aided- Male cut wrist on a Queens Surface Bus. EMS transported aided to the hospital.

Graffiti- In building. Search made with negative results. UA notified.

Smoke Condition- Burnt food. No injuries and no property damage. UA notified.

Found Property- A wallet. It was secured in PSD. Later the owner came to PSD and retrieved it.

Trespass/Open Container- 2 Subjects arrested by PSD.

Verbal Dispute- Between cab driver and intoxicated passenger over mess made on cab. Passenger paid for car wash. PSD escorted RI resident to apt.

Found Property- A wallet. It was secured at PSD

4/12/09-7:00 AM to 4/13/09-7:00 AM

Domestic Dispute (Verbal)- Between two adult brothers. No injuries and no property damage. EMS and NYPD refused.

Aided- Youth collapsed in the church. EMS transported him to the hospital.

His mother accompanied him.

Suspicious Vehicles- One drove slowly by the Mini Bus Garage. The other was watching the first vehicle. PSD responded. Search made of the area and all in order. All gated areas were locked and secured. An officer was posted at the Mini Bus Garage area.

Escort- Coler Hospital Patient's motorized wheel chair was not working. PSD escorted male to the Coler Hospital.

Roosevelt Island Gang Initiation Assault

You Tube Video of Gang Expert Ron Cook Barret on What We Can Do

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director sends the following message regarding a gang initiation assault on Roosevelt Island. The incident occurred on April 4 in the Rear Lobby of Eastwood/ Roosevelt Landings (560 Main Street) at approximately 8:30 PM.

Recently, the Public Safety Department investigated a call of several youths fighting in the lobby of one of the buildings here on Roosevelt Island. That fight turned out to be a gang initiation into a local gang, whose name I do not wish to divulge because I do not want to give them any publicity. Suffice it to say that these types of calls have been occuring more frequently among the youths under the age of 16. Because of their age, information must be kept confidential. Please read the attachment and feel free to post it or print it. While my intentions are not to alarm the public, I do wish to beckon their cooperation in preventing gang issues from becoming gang problems here on the island. Please ask your readers to report any activity to the Public Safety Department. Thank you.

The phone # for Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is 212 - 832-4545. Mr. Guerra provides additional information on the incident:

• The incident was seen on the CCTV monitor at PSD by Officer Coyle.

• In addition to PSO Coyle, Sgt. Hernandez, Det. Malone, Det. Clemente, SPO Vernet, SPO Sach, SPO Michael, PSO Paguada, and PSO Gilmore all responded.
• Originally the juveniles were not processed. They were brought to Public Safety and released to the custody of their parents. The victim told his mother they were playing around, so she did not want to press charges. Further investigation revealed that it was, in fact, a gang Initiation, so follow-up by NYPD insued.
• Police Officer Fernandez was also present on the scene and filed the appropriate paperwork for the NYPD, which has been forwarded to the precinct Youth Officer and Gang Unit.
• Approximately two other gang related fights among youths have occurred in the recent past. With no complainants, we cannot pursue criminal charges. These other calls were not in buildings, but rather outside, and involved juveniles between 12-15.
• All of the juveniles were released to their parents. Now that the mother of the victim realizes her son was part of a gang initiation, she wishes to pursue charges. NYPD is conducting the follow-up investigation.
  

Mr. Guerra elaborates further on Gang Recruitment:
Read More!

GANG RECRUITMENT

An organization that hopes to exist over time must either create or recruit new members or it will perish. Established gang members recruit for new gang members in schools, on the street, while confined in detention, in fast food restaurants and their parking lots, at parties, in jail or prison, at concerts and family get-togethers (many recruits are the little brothers and sisters of established gang members), and anywhere else they may find potential members.

In order to join a gang, all potential members are required to go through an initiation ceremony to show the gang's members they have what it takes. Being “Jumped in” means having to fight a certain number of gang members for a given period of time and being able to take the beating by the overwhelming number of opponents.

Gang membership is usually determined by the school the youths attend. It is at the school that most recruiting takes place. Sometimes this causes problems because, in the same neighborhood, there may be kids attending different schools. This means that rivalry between gangs happens simply because of attendance at different schools and it brings rivals into contact with one another when they go home after school.

Such is the case here on Roosevelt Island. Some kids attend school on the island and some attend school off the island. The Public Safety Department is coming across conflicts among youths in that same predicament. Recently, we even had a gang initiation in one of the lobbies of a building. This particular incident involved eight juveniles between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age. Seven of these boys beat up the eighth boy. After punching and kicking him to the ground, they then picked him up off the floor, gave him a hug and then a private handshake. All of this was caught on tape, however, due to their ages, no further information can be divulged. Suffice it to say that gang activity is here on the island and unless the community works together, that issue will become a problem. PSD is working proactively with the schools and the local Police Precinct, but parental involvement is needed. Check your children’s school bags, their dresser drawers and even their closets for signs or indicators of them being in a gang. Lastly, report any activity to the Public Safety Department.

Keith Guerra, Director

Roosevelt Island

Public Safety Department

More information on subject is available at NYS Gang Prevention.