NYPD Officer Answers Questions From Roosevelt Island Residents Association - More Info on Recent Robbery and 9 Arrested For Trespassing and Smoking Marijuana in Roosevelt Landings Stairway

Received the following report from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Director Keith Guerra regarding these two incidents in response to my inquiry:

Robbery/ Harassment- Subject arrested by PSD (11/05/11).
Incident occurred on 9/15/11 at 6:13pm in the rear of 500 Main Street (East Seawall). Subject arrested was the last of 3 subjects wanted in connection with the above Robbery. The other two had already been apprehended, arrested & charged. Both victims in the original incident sustained injuries.

Trespass- Nine subjects arrested by PSD in Roosevelt Landings (11/06/11).
Incident occurred on 11/06/11 at 3:31pm at 580 Main Street. Resident called about a group smoking Marijuana in the Stairwell. 9 subjects were apprehended. Summonses were issued to those over 16 yrs old. Those under 16 were released to their parents. No injuries.

I am glad RIOC and I were able to resolve how to inform the Roosevelt Island community about providing additional information regarding Public Safety incidents.

During the November Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting, the new NYPD officer assigned to Roosevelt Island, Officer Sitaras, spoke and answered questions from RIRA members. Officer Sitaras spoke about his experience as being "old school" and growing up nearby in Queens. He indicated that Public Safety does a good job, that he has a good relationship with PSD and that hopefully he can take care of problems that PSD can't take care of. Officer Sitaris also noted that he has seen some issues with PSD Officers not being respected by some younger people, who may not even live here, and that a PSD officer was run over by a vehicle during a recent car stop. I was later told that the officer is now OK.

In response to one comment from RIRA's Jim Bates (also the President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association) regarding RIOC and Housing management vehicles driving recklessly on the the street, Officer Sitaris indicated that he will follow up on the matter.

Unfortunately RIRA President Matt Katz ended the question and answer period with Officer Sitaras after only 10 minutes because, in his view, there were other pressing matters for RIRA to discuss. Here is the video of Officer Sitaris speaking at the November RIRA meeting.

You Tube Video of NYPD Officer Addressing RIRA November Meeting