Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Report - Parking For Disabled, Motogate, Meters and Signage, Vertical Building Patrols, Interaction With Young Adults, Use Of Pepper Spray, Trespassing, Visibility of Public Safety Officers, Filing Complaints, Working With NYPD Officer & More

Pepper Spray Image From PSI EDU For Illustrative Reasons Only

 Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee report to the January 2011 RIRA Common Council.

Committee Chair reported to members in attendance the following: Meeting was scheduled on 11/28/11 with Director Guerra to follow up on several concerns that the committee had expressed during the last meeting in October. Erin Feely-Nahem, Howard Polivy and Chief Guerra attended the meeting. The following minutes reflect the Chair’s verbal report to the committee members in attendance on 11/30/11 of the meeting held on 11/28/11.

Handicap Parking: Discussed and clarified regulations for handicap parking on Roosevelt Island. The two types were specified, NYS and DOT NYC regulations. Clarified the designated area where handicap vehicles are permitted to park on Roosevelt Island. Director Guerra informed me that Public Safety has extended permission for vehicles with hang tags to park in the designated area in front of the post office, which in the past was solely for the use of vehicles with placards or handicapped license plates. Director Guerra did acknowledge that handicap parking, with placards is legal and free on the street, in legal parking areas, but also emphasized that for those handicap vehicles that either have handicap license plates, or placards it is free for them to park on the bottom floor of Motorgate. Procedure for taking advantage of this service requires that the individual request a parking pass from the RIOC office. This free service is not available to individuals who have hang tags. Since the majority of the street parking spaces in North Town are often taken by vehicles with placards, a discussion about having an educational campaign regarding this free service, as a possible solution to the lack of parking in front of Westview.

Discount Parking for Holidays: When I presented the committee’s desire to have some sort of discounted parking, especially during the holidays Director Guerra informed us that the fee for parking in the Motorgate for 24 hours is already $20.00. If Central Parking is called there will be a reduction of that price. The pass can be purchased through Central parking directly by calling the main office @ 212-321`-7500.

Parking meter regulations/signage: When I brought up parking regulations, signage, and possible changes in the present meter policies I was directed to Yvonne “ Evie” Przybyla who was newly hired at RIOC and who has been placed in charge of parking/transportation issues. A part of her duties include reviewing the current meter policies and addressing issues around meters being more uniform throughout the Island. Committee Chair was provided with the email for Ms. Przybyla and will be contacting her to discuss the concerns presented to this committee.

Vertical patrols in WIRE buildings: We discussed PSO visibility in the WIRE buildings with Director Guerra. Director Guerra informed us that in response to an increase in break ins, in June, he had changed his strategy and has increased the number of plain clothes PSO who are assigned to the “hot spots” in the buildings. He stated that crime statistics are down Island wide since this strategy was implemented, and that he may change the strategy in the future, depending on need. He assured us that he has not eliminated the vertical patrols. Director Guerra also mentioned that the number of arrest for trespassing had increased during this period as well. Statistics for the past quarter were requested, which Director Guerra agreed to provide.

Vertical Patrols in Motorgate: Director Guerra mentioned that by utilizing the cameras that are set up on the Island, including the ones at Motorgate’s entrance, they are able to monitor the PSO vertical patrols, ensuring that they are completed efficiently and effectively. He assured us that Vertical Patrols are being conducted regularly.

Officers Interaction with Young Adults: Reports brought to the committee by residents, alleging an increase in the number of incidents during which pepper spray was utilized in the arrest of young adults, or where it was felt that PSO “over reacted” in arrest situations, were discussed. Director Guerra explained that his officers have experienced an increase in the number of youth who act aggressively, resist arrest, and challenge his officers, refusing to comply with their requests. He explained that the number of Officers injured in the line of duty has increased. He stated that Officers when injured on the job becomes eligible for a three day medical leave, which leaves his force short- handed. In an effort to protect his Officers from injury he discourages them from getting in the middle of a physical altercation. During an arrest if a suspect refuses to obey the Officer’s directive, reacts aggressively, or attempts to flee, after verbal warning, he feels that pepper spray is justified. Committee Chair requested Officer Injury statistics, which Director Guerra agreed to furnish.

Trespassing: In response to the feeling of some community members that young adults who are not engaged in criminal activities are getting caught up in trespassing sweeps, he again emphasized that they are not allowed to be in hallways hanging out, even if they live in the buildings. Their leases are for their apartment units only.

PS Officer Visibility: We discussed the concern of some community members that there is a lack of PSO visible presence on the streets and in the PS office during the early morning hours. Director Guerra is aware that when officers are writing their chairs are lowered and that they are not visible behind the desk. RIOC is looking into a solution to this problem.

Working with the CPOP: Director Guerra discussed the relationship between PS and the new CPOP from the 114th. He stated that they are working well together. He described him as a seasoned officer and hopes to develop a relationship with him as close as the one they had shared with Officer Fernandez.

Issues raised by Committee members during the 11/30/11 meeting:
Satisfaction was expressed with the traffic enforcement as provided by Public Safety Officers during the Saturday Farmer’s market.

Some concern still expressed by Roosevelt Landing residents that PSO are not targeting the more dangerous criminals on the Island, instead focusing on more petty issues which involve the teenagers on the Island. Chair reminded members to inform their constituents that if they have issues which they feel were not handled properly, or are unethical, that they should file complaints. Committee member stated that complaint forms have been unavailable at the Public Safety office, when requested. Members were directed to the RIOC office in this case or asked to contact Committee Chair who would obtain form for them.

Update from P.O. Sitaras: 12/6/11
Office Sitaras reported that he continues to patrol the hallways of Roosevelt Landings and on one occasion encountered several youth who lived in the building hanging out. After a lengthy conversation with them, they moved on without the need for a summons. Officer Sitaras did mention that he has been getting complaints from tenants about individuals smoking in the hallways, and has found loose cigar tobacco in the stairway. He stated that he will issue summons or arrest individuals if he catches them smoking in the hallways. He stated that some residents are calling 911 but suggests that for quicker results tenants should contact the Public Safety office. He stated that by the time the 911 call is filtered to him, the violator is gone. Officer Sitaras also stated that crime is down, at least while he is posted on the Island, and that he has had one “snatching” while stationed here, but that there haven’t been any robberies reported while he was on duty. He tries to be visible, with the lights on when he has a car, and visits the youth center to make his face known. His goal is not to instill fear in the youth, but to develop an awareness of his presence, by making his face known. I spoke to Officer Sitaras about the different methods for “taking down” a perpetrator, and his opinion on the use of pepper spray. Officer Sitaras shared that in the police force they are trained in the use of pepper spray. He stated that he feels that it is effective and less harmful than other methods that might be utilized when a perpetrator is resisting arrest. He expressed some apprehension concerning the use of Taser guns because of the potential for self-injury to the perpetrator if they fall down on to the ground after being stunned.