Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Community Meeting Taser Presentation Last Night - Here's What Happened
As reported previously, the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has requested the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to:
... consider allowing Public Safety Officers to be equipped with Tasers to better protect the officers from injuries caused by suspects resisting arrest, for help gaining compliance from suspects as well as preventing disturbed people from injuring themselves....Last night, Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department conducted a Community Meeting Presentation on Tasers:
Image From RIOC
The meeting began with a presentation by Public Safety Director Keith Guerra making his case for the Tasers to be used by Public Safety Officers. Here's what he had to say.
You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Taser Presentation (Part 1)
Following Mr. Guerra's presentation there was a question and answer period with the audience. Here's the first half of the Q & A period. (second half of Taser Q&A will be added later today).
You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Taser Presentation (Part 2)
More information on Roosevelt Island Taser issue as well as comments from readers at this post.
UPDATE 9:30 PM - Here's the remaining portion of the question and answer session.
You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Taser Presentation (Part 3)
It would have been more helpful had this community meeting included experts on Tasers who had a different view from the Public Safety Department on the use of Tasers so that a full and complete review of the issue could be fairly examined. For instance, Gothamist reported in October 2011 article:
... according to a new report [pdf] from the NYCLU, "police officers are using Tasers in inappropriate, irresponsible and downright deadly manner." As the saying goes: shoot 50,000 volts of electricity into somebody's chest first, ask questions later.Roosevelt Island resident Mark Lyon made an excellent point during the meeting and as a comment to this post:
Studying 851 Taser incidents from eight police department across the state (including the NYPD), 60% of those cases did not meet the expert-recommended standards that restrict the use of a Taser to "situations where officers can document active aggression or a risk of physical injury." 40% of the incidents involved "at-risk subjects" like the elderly, children, the visibly infirm, or those who were seriously intoxicated or mentally ill.
It also appears that Taser's aren't colorblind: 58% of all Taser incidents in the state involved black or Latino suspects. And in 75% of the occurrences, no warning was reported. In half of the surveyed jurisdictions, no verbal warning is required before an officer uses his Taser gun....
... Last night, at the PSD Presentation, they made it clear that they would not create final policies before approaching the board for approval. They instead would wait until after approval. Personally, I think having finalized policies in place would make it easier for the board to evaluate whether to approve purchase of these devices.More information is clearly needed before any decision is made by RIOC Directors on Tasers being used by Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.
20 comments :
Please forgive my ignorance here, my fellow neighbors, because maybe it's me. I arrived at the presentation a few minutes late and sat behind Mr. O'Connor who was video taping the presntation. I had no position either way on whether I was in favor of Tasers or not. My intentions for attending were to educate myself and see the presentation.
I have to say, the Chief is has a tough job. He goes out of his way to set up another information forum for us and even provides food and beverages. What he gets in return is a bunch of negative responses from an unruly crowd. He handles himself with poise and dignity. I would quit and look for a job where the community shows their appreciation for his efforts. If you don't like the idea of Tasers , fine. But the venom spewed by some of my neighbors is shameful.
Some of the people speaking had good points. But, some just don't want Tasers because they themselves are island trouble-makers who don't want to get "tased". Lots of people post on this blog about how long they've lived here. Well, if you've been here as long as I have, you would know who some of the people were, who were asking questions and making ignorant statements. They are the island touble-makers. One kid actually stood up and stated, "I get arrested. Do I have a right to be here?" Another woman, who has been arrested a few times for stealing from the elderly, went on and on about not wanting Public Safety to have Tasers. Hum, I wonder why that is.
People, if you're not out there committing crimes, why would you worry about being tased? The Chief stated there would be clear-cut policies established and that the tasers would have cameras on them. After the meeting, 2 of my neighbors came over to me to express how they were in favor of the concept. But, they never raised their hands to speak. It's always the loud ones who's opininions are heard.
AMEN!
Roozevelt, it's not you... You hit the nail right on the head. With the exception of 2 or 3 little old ladies and tall husky gentleman who spoke, the rest of the comments came from island trouble-makers (or parents of island trouble makers). The people who clapped for the ignorant comments made by the young adult in the front, are the same people who cause trouble (or whose kids cause trouble) on the island. The reason they are so concerned is because they fear being tased for their actions. I agree with the tall husky gentlemen. Give the Public Safety Officers firearms instead.
Of course it is always the troublemakers who want to speak up! PSD should just implement the use of tasers, no public discussion is needed. The lack of intelligence by some of the folks is scary!!!
Dear Roozevelt, I have never been in trouble or arrested but am worried about the mess tasers can create here on the island. The attitude of "I don't care because i don't create trouble therefore will never be based" is simply wrong. Living in a state of repose is not what makes communities a pleasant place to live in. Acquiring tasers is not a good disciplinary punishment for these youths. They must be guided to find something they love to do with their time, to attend college and become model citizens. Should we apply corporal punishment to our own children? Of course not. What about corporal punishment implemented by a stranger on our own children? The answer is no. It is not the fear we are concerned about, it is the choice of tasers and the idea of bringing them upon our community, which will most likely be used on minorities. It is not only about the mind set in which these Roosevelt Island young men and women will live with but also their self worth and constantly being told they are bad and to add drama, that they're part of gangs. It is also not trusting our neighbors. Place yourself in their lives for one moment. Firstly, they are teenagers trying to find out who they are-perhaps many not on the right track- setting up their own road to adulthood. Knowing they are being watched with the possibility of being tased will only inflict anger and desire for isolation from the system. They are/will be growing up in a society that constantly points the finger at them. If the crime on Roosevelt Island is so low as Guerra points out, why purchase the tasers? These young men and women need encouragement, a place to flourish, and place to be and learn. The "invitation" of understanding tasers was more of an invitation for them to see what type of weapon will be unraveled upon their bodies. This is very, very sad indeed.
Dear Salvatore, the tasers do have cameras on them which is a great idea BUT the cameras do not record an incident from beginning to end. I am not sure wether you live here but getting tasers on psd will make me feel like I'm living in a very bad neighborhood which I'm sure you know it's inaccurate. Tasers are not the solution, pacifying a situation is a very good idea indeed. Perhaps you guys can get some security at your bar for when a drunk gets out of hand but the entire neighborhood should not be subjected to these weapons because of an occasional drunk fellow. Tasers are not coming here anytime soon but petitions against them will for sure as many community members are incredibly upset over this issue.
Oblomova,RIPSD is a New York State law enforcement agency,not a freaking daycare. Taking care of other peoples kids,pacifying any situation is a terrible idea. You want PSD to do the parents job,which isn't what they get paid for. As you stated earlier,you feel PSD should leave these "kids" who use and sell drugs alone so they don't have a record. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME. let them use and sell weed. You are out of your mind,and you yourself must be a user cause Noone in there right mind would want anyone selling or using drugs in there neighborhood,no matter how old they are. Just cause SOME of these island perp are kids,doesn't mean they should get a free pass from law enforcement.
And why should Mr. Hoo have to pay for security when he pays taxes that contribute to his island law enforcement that even he feels does a great job.
Your ignorance is mind blowing. Yes go ahead,start your petition against tasers. And when that fails,start another one that makes it legal for kids to use and sell weed. Then when your done with that one,start another one that will let you drop your kids off at the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Day Care. So they can raise your children and teach them wrong from right cause your incapable. If only you knew how UNEDUCATED you sound Oblomova
Why do you insinuate that the Tasers will only be used on the youths here on the island? You talk as if you know how bad they are and "hugging" them will be better than "tasing" them. I did not hear from the 3 video clips that the tasers were going to be used on the "young minorites" here on the island. What I did hear was that many crimes here are being committed by off-islanders. If you're so worried about the welfare of the young adults who cause trouble here, get a job at he Youth Center or in Sportspark to initiate these programs you speak so knowingly of. But please, stop trying to convince us that the Public Safety wants to equip themselves with Tasers to tase the "young minorities" who live here. That's absurd!
Everything turns to a race bait here. How about opening your eyes and realizing, without being racist... That perhaps we DO HAVE A PROBLEM with the "youth".
They(don't race bait the word they, it means "youth") SELL drugs, obstruct walkways, disrespect people and psd!
I guess it's perfectly fine to SELL DRUGS and not go and get a real job!
I guess Ray Kelly was right. Until the people in the "community" wake up and realize its not a way of life, the sooner the neighborhood can get cleaned up.
I can guarantee psd won't just go around tazing people left and right. If the resisting individual is out powering the officer, or using a bat or some other weapon, then TAZE AWAY!
What ever happened to respecting the man or woman in uniform?
I guess it's not taught on this island.
A carpenter can't build a house without nails and a hammer, it's his tools.
A gardener can't plant his plants without his shovel, it's his tools.
A fireman can't put out a fire without his ax and fire hose, it's their tools.
You understand where I am getting with this?
They need more and better tools and be a real police department in order to really be able to do their jobs. They are doing a POLIC JOB! Who in their right mind in the united states or America, in new york city, secluded on an island will someone else do this job in a POLICE CAPACITY????!!??
Since there are so many cry babies here (the criminals) and people who been "harassed" by psd(the criminals again), the taser is a plan B approach to giving PSD TOOL OF THE TRADE, which would RATHER BE A GUN!
A taser is a backdoor and very bad approach.
I would much rather have them have real guns than tasers for the fact that it is a... excuse my language, a half assed approach.
So in conclusion. Give PSD the real deal guns and scrap the tasers. Keep locking up the teeth suckers with attitude who fail to follow directions and orders from law enforcement officials, you know who you guys are...
Psd: "move along guys, making too much noise, too many noise complaints, sorry"
The youth of this glorious island; "pfffffff,( sucking sound through their teef) ... damn yo, you always harassing us yo"
And finally, god bless and be careful out there.
I am the security. Have you ever seen me? I'm a beast AND i know karate. But if anything happens I could get in trouble so I call the PSD to handle things properly. This way no one gets hurt.
nope, have never seen you. perhaps your size will unruly customers on their seats though. i guess it's good to be big and know karate.
well, since Mr.Guerra insinuates there are gangs on Roosevelt Island this only leads me to believe he wants to keep the minorities at bay or isolate them as much as possible and stop them from hanging out on the streets because potential renters will stay away. Tasers didn't decide to buy themselves, there must have been a point in which Mr.Guerra suddenly thought they are needed-although, I repeat over and over, the crime is low and close to none-there have been other meetings, official meetings but also meetings over a beer or two discussing the PURCHASE of tasers. These decisions don't just happen, a group of people in power make these choices. I do a lot of volunteering work fyi.
I`m against tasers but I think everyone should have a water pistol-----water will help everyone calm down in hot weather but let`s get serious ----water balloons may do a better job---
Rumor has it that a racetrack is coming to Rooosevelt Island but there will be no two dollar window to make a decent wager
"insinuates that there are gangs on Roosevelt Island" ???
"wants to keep the minorities at bay"???
You really do live in a bubble. For one, Mr. Guerra is a minority - no disrespect. Secondly, the name of the Gang here is BGM, and many of the island trouble-makers are members of it.
I guess you missed Mr. Guerra's Summit on Gangs where an expert from Albany came down and verified that a gang exists here. Wake up lady. Just because crime is low here doesn't mean it's non-existant. You just continue to display your ignorance with every post you make. Instead of making a point, you're turning into a laughingstock. Just go away!
Its not drunk people, it's these kids running around in the streets.getting into fights, breaking car windows, yelling at each other. Vandalizing, Da, Da, Da. Obviously you dont stay up late during the the weekend, I have PSD on speed dial, Do you know where to get a pellet gun?
We have met, you know we have
My feeling about Tasers on the island....not a great idea.
Lets be honest, the head of the PSD is obviously an articulate, intelligent and highly trained ex-police officer who I would feel very at ease with if he were to be carrying a taser.
However the PSD officers that patrol our streets dont really have the same obvious qualities. The auxillary police officers on manhattan dont have them, so why should PSD? I can imagine a scenario where a PSD officer tasers someone by accident....whilst writing them a ticket for parking.......Plenty of police forces around the world have UNARMED officers. These officers are highly trained. PSD are not highly trained and therefore do not need tasers. They lack the basic skills that police officers or auxillary police officers have.I am not against the ideas of tasers, but I think the individual holding the taser needs to be the main issue. I hope some common sense takes hold and this idea is put on hold.
An outstаnding ѕhare! I've just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast simply because I found it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this subject here on your web page.
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