NY Post Reports On Reassignment Of Roosevelt Island's Only NYPD Officer - No Sherrif In Town Says the Post
The New York Post reported today on the reassignment of Roosevelt Island's only NYPD officer. The Post's story headline was:
No Sheriff in townAccording to the article the officer:
Roosevelt I.'s only cop transfers amid complaints
... worked the [night] shift that's the heaviest hours for criminal mayhem: muggers, robbers and just kids who shouldn't be on the street," said Joyce Mincheff, a council member on Roosevelt Island Residents Associationand:
"His presence of patrolling here, based on the statistics showing lack of crime, would be an indicator that he did a great job," she said...
Here's how the issue was discussed during portions of the April Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) meeting.
You Tube Video of April RIRA Meeting on NYPD Officer's Reassignment
More on the April RIRA meeting here.
40 comments :
What sensationalized B/S. The "Mean" Main Street, PLEASE...
The article in The Post makes it sound as if one NYPD Officer is responsible for the low crime rate on Roosevelt Island. The PSD is responsible for that. Joyce, Erin, Matt and Romano - the catalyst, should take note of that.
I've lived here for the past 24 years and my kids now have their own apartments here. This is a safe place to live because we have our own Law Enforcement here. No disrespect but, one guy wasn't making that much of a difference. Sherrif? Come on...
Must have been a slow Sunday nite for the NY Post to use this as filler.
No fact checking by NY Post "reporters" who were probably looking for a story they could turn into news for the NYP.
The only story here is that Officer Fernandez has left, after doing an excellent job, and may not get replaced, unless the NYPD figures out that to keep crime low, and the stats even lower, we should have another NYPD presence on the Island as good as Mr. Fernandez was.
I have known him, and his wonderful family for many years, and he sure does not deserve any negative commentary from us.
Wow. They couldn't even get a picture of an NYPD cop. Thats a PSD Officer on that bike.
First, we need written statements from Erin and Reid explaining why they made the hearsay phone calls, and indicating that they now understand and agree that phone calls based on hearsay with the intent of harming another are wrong.
Defensive comments on a blog or tape are not the same as clear written explanations and statements of understanding.
If Erin and Romano cannot put this simple acknowledgment of, and agreement with, easy-to-understand moral behavior in writing, they should immediately step down.
Mr. Katz excused Erin and Romano's phone calls - as we can see on the tape - at the RIRA general meeting.
In my view, this action compounded the injury by making it "officially sanctioned" by RIRA - in effect adding the seal of approval of a community organization representing 12,000 people to the act of placing hearsay phone calls with the intent of harming another.
Dear Reader: Matt's action does not reflect the prevailing morality of RI - or anywhere else for that matter. We on RI are good, law-abiding people, and would never do or condone such a thing as place intentionally harmful hearsay phone calls.
Because Matt Katz, the RIRA President, at the general RIRA meeting condoned the phone calls, Matt must also state in writing that placing hearsay phone calls with the intent of harming another is wrong.
If he cannot put this simple acknowledgment of a basic tenet of morality and humane behavior in writing, then he too should immediately step down from RIRA.
The overwhelming majority of people everywhere would never do or condone such a thing as place hearsay phone calls with the intent of harming another. Why can't our elected representatives, Matt, Erin, and Romano, come around and also say so?
There is no clear acknowledgment or apology from any of them so far. If the situation persists, meaning, RI residents do not have ethical representation, we would be left with no choice but to appeal to Ms. Torres to cease recognition of RIRA as a community organization and to proceed to de-fund RIRA and cancel any permits or agreements regarding meetings, activities and the like.
Although it is possible that some people may never stop creating mischief for others - and nothing we say or do will ever stop them, we can at least not have such people "representing" the community. Better no representation than unethical representation. Like all NYC neighborhoods, RI is represented at the CB, and in this way, continues to have input into the government decision-making process.
If Matt, Erin, and Romano clearly state in writing that the hearsay phone calls were wrong, then Matt and Erin must also write a letter of apology to Mr. Fernandez on behalf of the community, for publication in the NY Post, The Wire, or the blog, stating that intentionally harmful hearsay phone calls are wrong, and that the entire RI community apologizes to Mr. Fernandez for those phone calls and wishes him well.
Nice Job Erin, you clowns never cease to amaze me.
Let's transfer RIRA
This island is a JOKE! A complete joke! There has been many days that Officer Fernandez was not on this island and was put on another assignment. I am sure his arrest history does not have murders and serious robberies on it from this little rock. Lets compare and see what Officer Fernandez did for his time here and see what our "prestigous" PSD did with their time. I am really curious to see who was the real sheriff of this Island. 10 Felonies? Really? I am really suppose to trust the NYPD with their fake statistics, even after they were blasted on the news a couple of months ago for it? No thank you.
Roosevelt Island has never been a one man show, nor will it ever be. Facts are that it is held together by the Public Safety Officer chosen to protect it.
The above comment has been removed. It's the exact same comment from another thread.
No need to repeat yourself.
So lets see, public safety made a very dangerous burglary arrest of 4 off island perpetrators last year and made a gun arrest early this year. As well as numerous other arrests in between, yet in everyones eyes, its a one man army of a sole nypd officer?. How rediculous does that sound? Why do we pay PSD to patrol if NYPD saves the day on his own?
Let's get back to the article...
So Erin is quoted as saying the officer had issues with black youth? Is she kidding or committing libel? She stated she never met him. All this from a hearsay complaint from Romaine? Please!!!!
Erin & Romaine shouldn't step down from the Public Safety Committee, they should be removed by the RIRA Common Council. There are others on that committee who are classy people.
SO NYPD HAS LEFT THE ISLAND... THE ISLAND IS FALLING INTO THE RIVER?????????? Why dont RIRA go to RIOC and say hey we use to have ARMED "PEACE" officers on this island yes we did 1978-1980 Roosevelt island police dept 1980-1985 name changed to NYS dept of housing and community renewal police.. both were disbanned because of duplication of services, and the island was givin to NYPD who never wanted it so RIOC formed SECURITY, and then PUBLIC SAFETY,,, why cant we get back ROOSEVELT ISLAND POLICE DEPT. I say we arm PSD supervisors as a test run and then after training and back ground checks form RIPD, This is the only way to make the island safe and work..Lets not make the island go back to the days of security done by a firm called CITY SECURITY GUARDs inc from 1976-1978 the island was new and out of control back then..Im a long time resident of this island i know its past i might not have lived the longest here but i live across the bridge and use to vist this island in the 1970s to 1980 when i moved here...
An Islander that is making sense! Say it aint so!
That youtube video is astonishing. I'm amazed that anyone would serve on that committee and take that kind of abuse from people. Trying to run those meetins is like herding cats.
It's funny that a stupid article in such a rag like the NY Post gets so much attention. Nobody here questions the veracity and authenticity of this article? Really?
I asked this before. Does the PSD want to carry weapons? Whose decision is it? If the RIOC and/or PSD are okay with the status quo why all the outrage? RI has always been one of the lowest crime neighborhoods in NYC. Why all the paranoia?
The NY Post article puts our RI population at greater risk than the loss of one NYPD Officer. Why not just post signs in the subway and on the bridge, "Welcome to RI, easy pickings!" Thanks to the initiator of the article, I hope it wasn't the person who was so concerned about her building.
Simmer down folks. The island is fine. The NYPD officer has been gone almost a month. PSD is still here doing their job & doing it well. Let's just leave the fact that RIRA screwed up, and move on.
Matt, Erin, Romano or whoever won't apologize for their blunder. They know they blundered, and so does everyone else who's "on the ball".
Frank F,
That is a great idea. We the people can have direct say to our vey own police force.
I think RIRA needs to explore this option like you said.
please do not give p.s.d. guns . because look at the way they act when they are driving the unmarked p.s.d. car , they act like kids in a candy store .,they go up and down main street with the red lights on going very fast ,for nothing , i followed once from the pizza place they get in the car with the red lights on going too fast for main street and all they did was go to the p.s.d. office to drop off the pizza , they want to show off. they need to grow up.
What does running with lights have to do with guns? Its apples and oranges. I see the same thing with nypd off island and going to work. The joke is "ah they got the lights on for a donut sale". Do they have to slow down a bit, yes, but if they are responsible enough and capable enough to go through rigorous training, then its fine by me for them to carry guns to protect me and my family.
yea mike what does driving withlights have to do with a gun???
I think a lot of people think that if we give psd guns,chief guerra is just going to be handing them out like hot cakes. It doesnt work like that people. Psd would have to go through training,and with firearms, I dont believe that Guerra would send them to some sort of bs training.
My point is that having a gun changes people. After going through that sort of training you have no choice but to "grow up" as mike stated. If you dont pass the training then you do not recieve a firearm. Very Simple people. And like Frank said,change it to Roosevet Island Police Dept,sounds so much better then Public Safety
As many have said already and as it has been proven. How many people here really believe these crime numbers the nypd is trying to feed us??? All they said was that the island had 10 felonies last year,which they take as no crimes. Ok,what about all the other none felony crimes. Do they noy count those? o they dont cause they can care less about this island!!!
So many people here want nypd to be on the island. Be careful what you ask for. Do you actually think that if psd wasnt here,nypd would be walking the beat on main st?Do you think they would be in the buildings doing patrols? Do you think they would respond to a noise complaint of kids in the hall? Yea sit and wait people.
Stop bashing your own dept that we have on the island and crying about them driving with the lights on,cause nypd is not a godsend. Wake up
Give psd guns? Start with the supervisors? I have met almost all the supervisors. I recently inquired about a few,I was told that they were demoted. I like that Mr.Guerra is making changes. Here is my delima. Has anybody seen the day supervisor? Im not one to bash people,but I wouldnt trust being around her with a firearm.i was leaving for work one morning on my way to the motorgate,and she walked by me with a cane. A CANE!!!!!Is that discrimination? Perhaps. But when a person is hired in any law enforcement,they must go through a medical physical.Except security.as far as i know,psd doesnt,so they are secuirty and do not need guns.
If anything happens,can I really trust this supervisor to help me? Godforbid i get mugged on the "mean" main st as the post stated. What is she going to do,hit the person with her cane? Thats why im not for giving psd guns.
PSD are not security guards, as posted all over the island they are law enforcement. I know of her and had a few conversations with her, she was injured in the line of duty. Things happen. She has to walk, so be it with a cane or not. I havent seen her on patrol with a cane. She has been on the island for a while and she is a very nice person. No need to bash her for an injury she incurred while on duty.
8:12 you are correct and I apologize for "bashing" her. Even though I feel as if I was just stateing an opinion. Yes I know that they are law enforcement,but RIOC treats them and so do soem island residents as if they were security gurads.Why have law enforcement on the island when even the employer doest treatthem as such?
Law enforement,yes. But security guard quaility and operation. What do I mean by that? Psd has some young in shape guys. But have you seen the other ones? Out of shape and big. Any real law enforcement job,you have to take civil service test,and pass a physical agility test. Not here you dont. If my memory serves me correct,you can just walk into psd and fill out an application. How many real law enforcement jobs can you do that at? Not many,except security.
Point being is,you can just slap a "law enforcement" title on something and expect people to treat it as such when you dont have the makeup of one. If you put lipstick on a cow,is it a cow or a model? Its still a cow
Well you can apply with an application because it is not civil service. Similar to how MTA POLICE hires their officers, a simple in house examination. Maybe that is something RIOC should really consider for future hires to weed out the "incompetence" fron our society to become law enforcers. A basic police examination with a basic physical as you stated. Dont be fooled, there ARE still agencies out there that hire off applications as well who are in a police capacity. You are correct that RIOC should support them a bit more and have them out with a better image, such as better identifiers of WHO THEY ARE. If you go to times square, you have these security guards with PUBLIC SAFETY written on their reflective vests. To me, as an average joe, i think security when I see PUBLIC SAFETY in NYC. A lot of security agencies re getting away with using that term and its very confusing and dangerous for PSD to keep using that term "PUBLIC SAFETY". at least put ENFORCEMENT or POLICE or something else that is more identifiable to the public.
Overall I cannot say I disagree with much of you said other than a little negativity to the female sergeant who was injured.
They definantly need more respect and more importantly support from fellow island residents to make their image prosper and to do their jobs more efficiently.
I vote fot examination and physical to enter the academy/training and then subsequent employment with PSD. As well as a vote for a more identifable image which is more respectable to their job function
OMG !! There are People discussing Substanitive ideas .. No name calling No infalammatory allegations ..This is superb ! Listen, RIRA Common Council is no different from The senate or congress...They make resoloutions for the community ,Like The US congress make legislation for the ccountry.Let's all remember these residents were ELECTED!!!.Like it or not...All 48 ...Now Considering the better half of us has bypassed the finger pointing ,Let's move on ! Many are extremely divided on this issue(GRANTED).. However, Let's remember Let's stay away from personal and stick to factual..The Commanding officer has stated for the record why Fernandez left..Let's LEAVE IT ALONE!!!As to whoever GREGOR is , You seem to be stiring the pot. Yet and still with all your rhetoric You have yet to reveal you true identity..With that I will say All that you say is completely BASELESS!!!Yelling from behing the sheets is so cowardly..Come out be a person of truth and solidarity..We know who the councilors on RIRA are..WHO ARE YOU ????? Until then stop creating havoc...Hopefully you will run for common council ---YEAH RIGHT!!!
Why can't We start holding Public Saftey's feet to the heat ? See they reval what they want the community to know. Most should know that there are several allegations pending in court with regard to Public Saftey Misconduct/abuse of power amidst otherb inethical proceedings..Everyone is so preoccupied with an officer who is not here Nobody is facing the current problems residents face with PSD.There are 4 officers that beat a resident with a batton sprayed him with mase and arrested him.Yet they are still there..This has been a pattern with the PSD..Nobody acknowledges that!!!The Pub Saf.Comm Need to address that...Better yet follow up with the director see what his excuse is and then let's Blog !!!!
It is recommended that Common council members "DO NOT" read the blog for obvious reasons ..However,I AM ON THE COUNCIL....We will follow up on the Public Saftey Misconduct allegations !!!Thanks for the info!!!
Oh,Hell Yeah. Since we are on the subject of PSD .They need to be re orientated.I called security on my neighbor on Monday.When the PSD responded they told my neighbor I called. I HEARD THEM"!! Anyway Now what ???Is that not a breech of security?? I tried to complain to RIOC ,They told me there is nothing They can do ...WHat's up with that?? Public Safty Comitee get on your job ...I thank god that we all just have to worry about the PSD beating residents up and falsifying incident reports.If NYPD were here,,There would be MURDERS / Falsified arrests ....
@12:37 NYPD has always been responding to, or posted on Roosevelt Island. Funny I have never heard of any murders or falsified arrests. What is your point?
Retired NYPD---- If there were to be a long term NYPD officer posted here on the Islans which is so so concentrated is a recipe for disaster..... This is our opportunity to fix Public Saftey..
Currently the PSD is working without a union contract...Rick can follow up or agreement..
As far as The Common Council is concrened officer fernandez From What was told to me is officially of the agenda !! HE IS GONE --It is being decisivly looked at for an immediate replacement sometime real soon......Please everyone let the elected do their job.To many hands in the cookie jar , the jar breaks & Nobody get's a cookie..There is an upcoming meeting with Erin Matt,& The commander of 114th PCT ..STAY TUNED!Unless , Joyce messes this up too........
Stay tuned for WHAT? WHY ARE WE SO DEPENDANT ON NYPD to do an ISLAND JOB? ANSWER that simple question. WHY DO WE PAY 2 agencies to do a police job? This is rediculous! LEAVE THE NYPD ALONE AND FOCUS ON THE ISLAND. There are issues we need to fix HERE FIRST. Why is everyone up in arms over Fernandez leaving? There has been plenty of empty slots on this island where a NYPD Officer was never around. Why the hype now? Whats the need? Why is it essential? I have YET TO HEAR and answer to that. Is it that we are bored and nothing else to do? Is it really THAT important to have him here?
Lets see the statistics of what HE did and what PSD did in regards to crime. As stated earlier I am sure PSD cleaned this island up.
Lets get the stats and lets see where it brings us.
Do we REALLY need another NYPD Officer here?
How much of a change did he really do?
This is getting rediculous.
Does anyone read the monthly blog. I keep seeing PSD arrest and a rare NYPD arrest, which does not necessarily mean it was Fernandez.
I read the blog and keep informed, that is why I am essentianlly dissapointed with the priorities held here.
I believe they are doing a fine job with what they have.
Also, if you read the block, many of the arrests say "taken to 114pct for arrest processing". From my inquiry with a PSD Officer, he said it means "well, we arrest the offender and take them to the 114pct for paperwork and then we take them to court and lodge them in bookings".
So, this to me sounds like they are doing the job and not simply "detaining" an individual.
Call me crazy, but I dont see the need for another enforcer on this island.
What a blog update to wake up to. Time to go to work.
The Anonymous poster of 4/13 11:12pm states that what I say must be discounted because he does not know who I am. If that is the case, why should anyone take anything he says as real since he posts as Anonymous.
We don't know the actual identity of retired nypd yet he has written some of the most cogent posts on the blog. Do we discount them because he does not list his name, address & so forth on his posts?
There is such a thing as identity theft which is why the majority of commenters in cyberspace do use a "handle" of some sort instead of putting actual ID info online.
Judging from the tone of some of the posts written by Anonymous, it is possible to figure out who Anonymous is. Anonymous: Why not settle on a handle when posting comments to this blog; this way it is much easier for others to refer to -- although not necessarily understand -- your "brilliant" comments.
Please respect those who choose to use an online identity and don't "out" them. I have no idea if the previous comment is correct or not but it is not appropriate to truthfully or falsely "out" another reader.
Post a Comment