Roosevelt Island Public Safety Questions And Answers Update - Vertical Patrols, Parking and Traffic Enforcement, Motorgate Safety, Graffiti & More

An update to June 8 post on Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) June Public Safety Committee Report. Below are questions submitted by RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety  Department Director Keith Guerra and Mr. Guerra's answers.

Ms. Feeley-Nahem writes to Mr. Guerra:

There are several questions that came up in the 5/22/12 Public Safety meeting that I would appreciate clarification on:

Question - On vertical patrols, they have been less visible then in the past. Have they been decreased in number? 

Answer - No.

Question - Are you using the same "hot spot strategy?

Answer - Yes.

Question - What are the hours of the school crossing guard?

Answer - School Days: 7:30-8:30, 11:30-12:30 and 2:30-3:30.

Question -When she is out, does she have a replacement?

Answer - Our Officers try to cover it, if she's out.

Question - What is being done concerning the increase in graffiti as mentioned in the WIRE 2 weeks ago?

Answer - Plain Clothes detail, when staffing permits.


Question - Why are cars parking down on the East Channel, by Southtown, all day Sunday, and throughout the night until Monday, without a ticket?

Answer - Because parking all day Sunday is allowed in NYC.  At 12:01 Monday, we enforce.

Question - What is the policy about remaining there overnight?

Answer - Vehicles are not allowed to park overnight.

Question - Also, same issue is being raised on non equal ticketing at South Town.
Answer - Where does ### get this from?  We write tickets island-wide.

Question - Concern over pedestrians and bicycles ignoring traffic laws. Members suggested trying to correct this by having  PSO's be more "educational" in their approach to the problem. Pedestrians are crossing any where they please, without watching for traffic, ie: jay walking. Bicycles are riding on the sidewalks, and streets with out consideration of the rules and regulations that apply. If officers, as a first step could pull them over and educate them, warn them, maybe we can avoid going to the ticketing phase.

Answer - This is NYC.  People aren't always going to cross the street where they are supposed to.  Our Officers do educate first by "warning & admonishing" before issuing tickets.  That's part of the Community Policing Strategy.

Question- Cars are still going through the stop signs. Can we address this by picking a day when we have officers stop motorist and give out warnings, then if it doesn't help, possibly tickets? Word travels quickly.

Answer - We have done this and will continue to do it.  The reason word hasn't traveled is because most of the folks being stopped do not live or work here.

Question - A RIRA members is curious why they are not allowed to park on Main Street after 7pm for free, as they are able to in other boroughs in NYC?

Answer - Please tell her that this is a small island with extremely limited parking.  Main Street is designated for temporary parking only, so that many can have the opportunity to park briefly to load or unload.  Permanent parking is available at the Motorgate Garage.

Question - She states that since it is your officers who give the tickets, you should have the solution.

Answer - I do.  That's the reason.

Question- Also, I forgot to follow up on Motorgate. During May's meeting Officer Sitaras reported that 2 robberies had occurred, of vehicle, in Motorgate. Any update on this?

Answer - They are not classified as Robberies.  People get robbed, not cars. (smile).  The subjects involved in the Larcenies from the 2 vehicles were not caught, and it is believed that it was an inside job to collect Insurance money.  PSD continues to patrol the Motorgate regularly.

Question - Was the individual/s apprehended, are there more patrols, additional security now at Motorgate since these events happened?


Also the bathrooms have now been locked, and the stairwells are being used as urinals again. Does PSO patrol the stairways as well, to deter this behavior? What are we doing to combat this type of quality of life issue? 

Answer - Complaints need to be made to Central Parking about the bathrooms and the smelly staircases.  They are responsible for their upkeep.  I believe the bathrooms are locked because a homeless man was taking up residence there.  PSD does check the stairwells during their patrols. 

Question - Someone came to me asking about the Public Safety "Free Parking cards" that she stated were given to your officers as a perk, for family and friends. I think she mentioned that each officer was given 12. (That number seemed awfully high when you multiply that number by the number of officers, and compare it to the limited parking options available on the Island.) She stated that she had one and was wondering why she had been ticketed.  I was amazed when I saw one, in a out of state BMW, parked for several hours in front of Westview., without a ticket, and without a muni-meter ticket. Can you tell me what the policy is attached to the distribution of the 2012 Public Safety card? How many are there? What restrictions if any are on them?

Answer - All Law Enforcement Agencies give their officers annual PBA cards.  Their purpose is for trading them with officers from other agencies, as different cards have different artwork.  They do NOT allow for free parking. 

Ms. Feeley-Nahem adds:

When Keith and I discussed this last point verbally, he did recommend that if a resident does come across this type of situation that they should call Public Safety and inform them of the situation.

Thank you Chief  for your time and your attention tward these matters.