Roosevelt Island Fracas & Altercation In Front Of Public Safety Department Tuesday Night - Here's What Happened

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Shield From RIOC

A reader asked:

What's the scoop on the fracas in front of PSD tuesday THE 10th @ 7:30?

I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra. Mr. Guerra replied yesterday:

A Harassment Report had been filed last Friday against several island youths. Apparently, last night the complainants returned to file a similar complaint. At approximately 8:30PM relatives of the complainants, and several Island Youths involved in the original complaint, engaged in a fight on Main Street. PSD and NYPD units responded and three individuals were arrested.

One individual was arrested by NYPD for manacling (he apparently had two bats in his possession).

Another was arrested by PSD for assault (he apparently scratched another person across the chest with a screw driver).

The third individual was arrested by PSD for assault (while apparently being dispersed, he got himself involved by swinging a bat at 2 Officers. Both Officers suffered minor injuries during the arrest and refused medical attention by EMS.

In total, there were approximately 30 people verbally involved. All but 3 were dispersed without incident. It is our belief that the complainants had their relatives come from off-island in order to take matters into their own hands.

The incident was controlled, and the arrested subjects were taken downtown for processing.

UPDATE 11:25 AM - A reader sent in a link to this video of the crowd outside Public Safety Department that night. Balkurrrunes comments on You Tube:

Lots of peace officers surround a few young people. Others have faded into the dark. Bemused residents look on. The universal question? What's Up

You Tube Video Of Roosevelt Island Crowds Outside Public Safety Department