NYPD Activity Shuts Down Roosevelt Island Bridge About 1 AM Last Night Reports RIOC
According to this Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) advisory received at 1:12 AM last night:
Due to NYPD activity, the Roosevelt Island Bridge will be temporarily closed.Have received several unconfirmed reports of a shooting on Main Street last night. Waiting for response to my inquiries from NYPD and RIOC.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
Will update when more information available.
UPDATE 12:55 - Picture of NYPD on Roosevelt Island Bridge at Vernon B'lvd earlier this morning.
@Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/fcUimYU9VWUPDATE 4 PM - At about 9:15 AM I sent the following inquiry to RIOC President Charlene Indelicato, Interim Public Safety Department Chief John McManus and the RIOC Directors:
— Melissa A. Wade (@Honeybee22274) July 5, 2013
Any comment from RIOC regarding the reason for NYPD shutting down the Roosevelt Island Bridge last night?At about 3:15 PM this afternoon RIOC Community Relations Specialist Erica Spencer-El sent the following statement:
I have received several reports of a shooting on Main Street last night at about the same time the Bridge was closed.
Will there be any comment from RIOC explaining what happened last night?
Late last night an individual sustained a gun shot wound to the hand on Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (“PSD”) administered first aid on the scene and the victim was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. The Roosevelt Island Bridge and Tram were temporarily closed, and several NYPD officers were stationed by the F train, in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. The NYPD is conducting an investigation. PSD is assisting the investigation and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety and security of Roosevelt Island.I replied:
Will update if more information received.This statement says very little about what happened.
Any comment about the Public Safety Department crowd dispersal at Lighthouse Park, fighting near the deli and subsequent shooting on Main Street in the early morning hours last night.
I understand that PSD Director McManus was on the scene as well. Is that true?
UPDATE 10 PM - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Chair Erin Feely-Nahem was told the following by RIOC:
In the incident that happened in front of the deli last night, under the Supervision of Director John McManus, Public Safety Officers successfully handled the dispersing of crowds, without the use of pepper-spray, batons, and without an array of summonses or arrests . They were able to de- escalate a situation which could have very easily gotten out of hand. There were no reports of vandalism and no riot occurred. The PS Officers on duty acted professionally and demonstrated extreme constraint in their interaction with the crowd of 200-300 individuals who after exiting Lighthouse Park, gathered in front of the deli on Main Street.
The individual who was shot in the hand was not a resident of Roosevelt Island and was discovered by Public Safety Officers and aided until the the ambulance arrived. Officers from the 114th came in and handled the situation, while the PSD Officers, working in conjunction with them, successfully dispersing the crowds. The Detectives from the 114th are questioning individuals who were in the vicinity during the time of the shooting.
240 comments :
This is why we no longer need the wire.the roosevelt islander gives you up to date news
I just called PSD to find out if the bridge is open yet and they said it is. So much for RIOC providing notifications via advisories. Maybe they'll get around to updating us after the holiday weekend.
I just called PSD to find out if the bridge is open yet and they said it is. However, RIOC hasn't sent out an updated advisory. Maybe we'll get it after the holiday weekend!
I arrived at the Island around 1:30 last night. There was a police car and a half dozen officers at the entrance to the bridge. They were waving people onto the Island easy enough, but flashlight searching cars leaving.
There was also an unmarked car at the base of the bridge ramp on the Island, with a police officer inside; And tons of police cars, trucks, officers, and such all over the place. When I walked past the Public Safety office, the place was packed with suit-and-tie officers, not just the regular uniformed folks.
I asked our front-desk guy what happened, but he hadn't heard anything yet. Waiting on updates.
Why the concern about the WIRE? It's a free paper. If you don't want to read it, use it to line your litterbox. Newsprint is also helpful when cleaning windows and mirrors. http://lifehacker.com/5486501/use-newspaper-for-sparkling-windows-on-the-cheap
:=))!
I agree! And my husband and I love the Wire. It cheers up our Saturday to drink coffee and discuss the local goings-on.
I expect to receive a report from NYPD and RIOC today.
Yes - pipe down Bill. Don't read it if you don't like it, no-one is forcing you to. Also, no-one is forcing you to stay on RI - leave if you don't like it.
Thank you. The investigation is ongoing as of 3:15pm because the gunman wasn't caught. I think it's likely the gunman blended into the crowd and got away on the subway. Probably the police know who he is and he's on the run - I doubt if he is going to return to his apt which undoubtedly the police are watching. If he was simply on RI as part of the 7/4 bbq, then there's no reason for him to return to RI. Since the gunman wasn't apprehended, despite the above speculation that he got away, there's no proof he ever left RI last night. Assuming that alcohol was consumed at the 7/4 bbq at Lighthouse Park, the incident highlights the great danger of combining guns and alcohol.
Maybe PSD shouldn't continue to permit loitering around the deli. Only a matter of time before these things happen.
What else do we want to know? There was a shooting here on Roosevelt Island and NYPD and PSD are investigating. More details are just about getting more eyes on this blog.
We need to know details and information as soon as they are available - especially if/when the gunman is caught.
Yes i do agree. This is what its good for
I love the island.its the new people i hate
Ravenswood-Queensbridge Houses are the largest housing development in the US. Although residents can use Rainey & Queensbridge Parks for bbqs, those areas aren't enough - obviously. This highlights why open land - parkland or parking space - shouldn't be taken away from public housing and turned over for luxury high-rise development per Bloomberg's zoning proposals.
Probably, NYPD needs to work with community leaders at Ravenswood-Queensbridge about identifying additional bbq spots along the river. This way some pressure would be removed with regards to overcrowding in the parks on 7/4. Lighthouse Park is a pleasant venue for a bbq - and we do want to be as welcoming as possible to anyone who may wish to bbq there - but one of the reasons Queens people use Lighthouse Park is because of the lack of space in the parks on the Queens side of the river. We need more recreational facilities in W. Queens, not luxury high-rises - which just turn up the pressure on the remaining open/green spaces.
Well, I'm a new person, I love the island, and I will proudly let my new toddler splash in the fountains and ride the Red Bus. Sorry you're grumpy, but we're having a great time!
PSD or Kyle never caught the gunman. The shooting is in connection to island gang "BGM" "Been getting money" which is made of the "innocent" island youth.
In the past PSD woukdnt allow them to congregate in front of the deli or 580,but then Erin Feely said that the innocent island youth were being harassed and shoukdnt be told to move from the locations. So this is what happens. It will only continue to vet worse.
Real nice how multiple shots were fired right on main st,someone was actually hit by gunfire.
I take it the PS Officers demonstrated 'extreme restraint' rather than 'constraint'?
What? there are huge parks right on the river. AFAIK, there are also no luxury building going up around the queens bridge projects. Are you trying to blame a shooting on lack of green space?
Really? There's a gang on Roosevelt Island? I had no idea.
Has there been any confirmation of the shooting by anyone who would actually know?
That was the Guerra fantasy and propaganda.
I haven't heard or read anything about it, even just through island gossip. I wouldn't just accept this person's story unless he gives us more information.
Please,I don't need any of you to believe what I'm saying,that's up to you people to continue living in your bubble. Need confirmation??? Hahaha funny,but just call the 114 pct. Confirmed shooting. BGM is Guerra propaganda? Again,call the 114 pct and they will tell you that yes it's true and it's an up and coming gang. Just cause it isn't in the Damnwire doesnt mean it isnt true. So wake up. All of this happened around midnight but if any of you would have simply stuck your head out the window you would have seen dozens of nypd cars driving on the chapel plaza looking for the shooter.What more info would you like?
Not exactly. All I'm saying is the shrinkage of publicly accessible green space - parkland - will simply lead to overcrowding/fights at the remaining parks, including Lighthouse Park.
The City hasn't thought through the implications of permitting large-scale up-zoning. Where are all these new residents going to recreate themselves? For many, a neighborhood bbq - not a share in the Hamptons - represents summer. Millions of New Yorkers don't have the means to go away over the summer, to a nice resort in the mountains, or on LI. These year-round residents rely on the availability of parks for recreation/bbqs/swimming/etc.
If the City simultaneously adds high-rises and takes away parks, or rather, permits the construction of luxury high-rises within green spaces at projects - which is what will be done not too far from Queensbridge-Ravenswood at the Hallett's Cove development http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-panel-backs-2-600-unit-development-article-1.1352608#ixzz2UDJfv86g imagine what the jostling will be for bbq space at the remaining green areas at those projects (i.e. the existing projects on the site where the new luxury buildings will be constructed).
Of course those residents may look toward Lighthouse Park for bbq space - even Southpoint Park eventually.
Bloomberg shortsightedly permits up-zoning so his friends can make bucks with these new luxury buildings, but never thinks about infrastructure, parks and so forth.
Whether the incident the other day was caused by crowding at Lighthouse Park isn't for any of us to say. But just consider it a given that crowding in that park and at other parks along the Queens shore, will get much worse with Bloomberg's up-zoning plans.
I don't think people meant that the shooting didn't happen. But shootings happen all the time (unfortunately) and it isn't necessarily a result of gang violence. It could have been an altercation between strangers on the street, or even domestic violence; it doesn't seem like anyone knows at this point.
How does carrying a gun, help you address the lack of public park availability? You seem to frequently dismiss bad behavior on part of people you feel are lower class, and make wild leaps to unrelated policies.
If someone walked out of their home with a gun chances are they intended to use it that shouldn't be tolerated or dismissed. This why stop and frisk is an important policy since it gets guns of our streets.
That's fine. I understand,but what I'm TELLING you is that it was between island gang BGM and people from ravenswood project. Trust me,I know. Owner of the blog can email me and I can provide you with a lot more info,Rick
KTG, Stop and Frisk doesn't reduce crime nor guns. Here's a report from NPR (see "http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/21/185843934/does-stop-and-frisk-work-debating-a-controversial-police-tactic"), and another from John Jay (see "http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/US_Lamberth_The_Effectiveness_of_Stop_and_Frisk_in_the_United_StatesFinal.pdf").
KTG, do you have any data to support your claim? Here's an excerpt from the NPR article ...
[Begin NPR excerpt ...]
David Harris of the University of Pittsburgh Law School said that the policy is ineffective, if not counterproductive to policing:
Targeting them based on their racial or ethnic appearance is not a successful crime fighting strategy, despite what the Commissioner and the Mayor seem to believe. What they say is, 'See it's working!' By this method, they say, of instilling fear in people – 'We don't want people to carry their guns, that's why they do this.' So, they win either way. Targeting people based on race or ethnicity has never been shown – not in New York, not in anywhere else where this has been statistically tracked – to be the successful way to get guns, to get drugs, to get bad guys, because what you do, is you force people overall to pay an enormous cost, across an entire racial or ethnic group, for the actions of a very few people, and it also leaves out the fact that you could certainly use other methods, as other cities do, to force crime down that don't rely on this kind of very aggressive stop and frisk activity that embarrasses and humiliates, and most importantly drives people away from police.
Delores Jones Brown of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, suggested the NYPD employ different tactics that might be just as effective:
There are other policing tactics – something called "hot spots policing" that's being used by the NYPD that doesn't necessarily involve stop-and-frisk that researchers have found have in fact contributed to the crime reduction in the city. So, one of my suggestions recently has been to do more of that, and less of stop-and-frisk, because we can see a direct causal relationship between that kind of a practice – hot spots policing or something else, where we focus on the few dangerous people that can be identified individually and remove those people from the street, while leaving the law-abiding people alone.
She added:
In my view, the department is engaging in something I call "appearance profiling." And so, if they see a young Black or Latino male in certain types of clothing, like a hoodie or sagging pants, and they appear to be between certain ages, they automatically suspect them of criminality. But there's nothing criminal about being young, being Black, being Latino, being male and wearing sagging pants or a hooded sweatshirt or wearing particular colors that the police assume are gang-related.
[... end of NPR excerpt]
Really.you and your husband like to talk about news thats two weeks old.
What's the matter with you? Why the vendetta against the Wire? Considering the amount of news that occurs on our usually sleepy island, two weeks is about right.
I know how i can win the elelection to rioc. A person doses not need to be born in the u.s. So i will bring in bus loads of mexicans to vote for me. In exchage for their vote i will build a tent city near south town for them to live
Saw a couple of articles saying that last year, stops resulted in 4,000 - 7,000 weapons seizures (not sure if that was due to timing of article). One article also said over 300 weapons seized were used in prior crimes.
I see the point in your referenced articles that policy creates distrust in community between police and citizens. I think its valid and is a problem. But I think rising murder and violent crime rates in city are a more pressing.issue.
KTG, for 533,000 stops, only 10% resulting in summons/arrest, and 780 weapons recovered, i.e., about one tenth of one percent recovered weapons. The points made in the articles were:
- Stop and Frisk has a low hit rate on reducing crime/guns
- It is corrosive on the communities and produces a lack of trust with law enforcement.
- Other methods are more effective in reducing crime/guns and simultaneously are less corrosive on the community.
Regardless, I look forward to your citations for your data.
One thing we need to keep in mind: It's summer and kids have no place to hang out. Perhaps our parks...lighthouse point, bbq areas etc.should be only for R.I.landers, not off islanders. And I also feel that we need to re-establish the PSD booth at the top of the helix.ramp so we can be aware of when off islanders appear in droves...and should be followed. We didn't have these problems years ago when we monitored who came and went.
Forget a abuut the shooting. When the hell are the hipsers getting their bike lanes
If you are saying only permit islanders to use the bbq facilities on RI, there probably would be a way to get around that, if for example, a large bbq party simply had a RI resident apply for a bbq permit, but then 100 or 200 folks from Queens showed up. Read about legislation City Councilman Jumaane Williams is proposing - which would force NYC residents to inform the local precinct if they are inviting more than 40 people to a house party etc.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/05/nyc-councilman-williams-proposes-nyc-house-party-legislation/ On RI, if there was an application process for the bbqs, RIOC could additionally request info on the number of attendees expected, so that PSD could be assigned accordingly.
The idea of posting a PSO at the top of the helix ramp should be considered. If not a PSO, then at least a camera at the bridge walkway so that if droves of visitors start appearing on the bridge, PSD could assign additional PSOs to the parks accordingly.
Ok. Enough with the shooting
Its getting boring. Lets talk about what really matters to people on this island. Like getting bike lanes for hipsters
And more parks for the nannies to hang out at
Jack M: My position is not the same as Ms. Feely-Nahem, so let me clarify:
1. Youth (up to 35 years old) need a place to "hang out". Hanging out itself isn't a crime.
2. Impeding the flow of traffic (say, in front of the deli) is something the NYPD would handle properly. Whereas Public Safety shies away from it ... it's that projection of weakness and intimidation that causes Public Safety problems. Those people see Public Safety as weak (which it is), and other residents see Public Safety unwilling to confront the group.
3. NYPD doctrine is different than PSD. If there is a noise complaint about kids in front of a merchant, when an NYPD patrol car shows up and the kids disperse, NYPD officers think Problem Solved (because the kids aren't making noise anymore). Public Safety officers think: We need to hunt down that person and teach him/her a lesson.
4. The RIOC Board has done a spectacularly bad job in oversight, but Ms. Feely-Nahem seeks to protect them by speaking out against the RIRA Public Safety Committee complaining against the performance of the RIOC Board (a whole mix conflicts of interest and such). Ms. Feely-Nahem and her husband Mr. Nahem takes the position: the RIRA Public Safety Committee are not involved in so-called "personal attacks". Right, so the whole thing about Guerra Must Go wasn't personal, even though Guerra. Bryan, Suarez, Yee, Hernandez, Torrens, etc. were called out explicitly in kiosk posters.
What Ms. Feely-Nahem and Mr. Nahem suffer from is a double standard: it's OK to complain about Guerra's performance (lack of oversight, poor policy, unresponsive to resident concerns), but it's NOT okay to complain about Mike Shinozaki, Margie Smith, David Kraut, and Howard Polivy in their performance on Public Safety (lack of oversight, poor policy, unresponsive to resident concerns).
Ms. Feely-Nahem and Mr. Nahem have a son that got a job at RIOC. According to Ms. Feely-Nahem, he had difficulty previous summers because Fernando Martinez was in the management chain and didn't want their son. So if Ms. Feely-Nahem believes that hiring was not merit-based (e.g., connections, favors, etc.), then why is she content now, especially given her role as Chair of a RIRA Committee whose mission includes "public safety", which includes all levels of management/oversight, including the RIOC Board and some of the management chain for her son's job? Ms. Feely-Nahem and Mr. Nahem are falling all over themselves to protect the RIOC Board from any criticism being registered by the RIRA Public Safety Committee. It seems that Ms. Feely-Nahem is willing to give a Pass to RIOC Board members who did nothing (or obstructed or turned their heads the other way) to correct PSD. So now with her presently very strong protection of the RIOC Board (something you couldn't possibly imagine months ago) are we're supposed to find that is acceptable? I don't find her position to be acceptable.
My sense is: Many residents Get It that the RIOC Board did poorly and that was part of the problem with Public Safety abuse: it's not jut getting rid of Mr. Guerra, is other officers, policy problems in PSD, policy and oversight problems in the RIOC Board, and so on. But Ms. Feely-Nahem protects the RIOC Board, and her husband Mr. Nahem rationalizes this with a double standard: we have one standard for performance when it comes to Public Safety (which applies to non-residents), and we have another standard of performance that applies to *resident* RIOC Board members (not even non-resident RIOC Board members).
Really, we should not have a double standard: one for residents; and one for non-residents (residents who work for RIOC are protected from criticism of their poor performance).
More to come in later posts.
1. Loitering is illegal. 2. Your second and third points are contradictory. 3. RIRA, RIOC, PSD, and all of the other self-important collectives on this island have proven useless in every respect. We could all debate about these things to wits end, but things seem to be going downhill fast around here.
Again, I will state and stress to the max RI and the residents here " NEED " NYPD presence here, "NEED" as in has to have NYPD presence here!! The crime rate is going up here, no matter how much RIOC & RIRA, PSD, Rivercross or even Frank Farance try to sugar coat things to help property values. Things are not getting safer here. The population is growing more by the day as well as tourists coming here. Thugs, gangs and criminals are going to be testing the waters in any place that does not have NYPD presence. When will all the residents unite and demand this to happen? Will it take someone getting killed here? What will it take ? !!!!
we have to have NYPD here, and all residents should call Cuomo, Lappin, Kellner, our Mayor and even NYPD ask them when will NYPD be on RI ? Sometime before the Rapture?
hey Frank, maybe they should leave the Youth Center open at night till midnight so the YOUTH can hang out. The youth should be working and not on the streets loitering.
agreed Old Rossie, Frank and others will continue to post on the positive about the street activity on here to help keep their property values up. They have lived here on RI many years and know the low down and all the grit about this island, they just want to sell their units one day and hope to make a huge profit off their subsidized housing, Everyone knows that.
westviewgirl: I've been here since 1980, as a youth at the time, and I've hung out just then like many kids have since. People need a place to congregate in their neighborhood. They have a right to do so, peacefully (e.g., not making noise, no illegal activities). Back then on hot summer nights, the lawn sprinklers were lots of fun when they turned on a 2 AM. :-)
OldRossie, you're wrong about loitering. Aside from laws being declared unconstitutional, none of them apply to the deli scenario. See the articles on a class action suit against NYC ("http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/nyregion/new-york-settles-suit-on-illegal-arrests-for-loitering.html?_r=0").
Here's the loitering law (below), which has no application to the deli scenario:
My points #2 and #3 are not contradictory. Point #2 is about whether or not hanging out in front of the deli is illegal or not. If it impedes traffic flow, it is illegal and then officers can insist upon dispersing the crowd. Point #3 is about NYPD's vs PSD's different doctrines on dispersing crowds: for NYPD, people running away is no problem because the main issue (e.g., making noise, as in the case above) is resolved; PSD's approach is to hunt down the people running away.
It summary, point #2 is about legal/illegal actions in certain cases, and point #3 is how law enforcement deals with certain scenarios.
Here's the loitering law. How does it applies to the deli?
---------------------------------
Section 240.35 Loitering
A person is guilty of loitering when he:
1. Loiters, remains or wanders about in a public place for the purpose of begging; or
2. Loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of gambling with cards, dice or other gambling paraphernalia; or
3. Loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of engaging, or soliciting another person to engage, in oral sexual conduct, anal sexual conduct, or other sexual behavior of a deviate nature; or
4. Being masked or in any manner disguised by unusual or unnatural attire or facial alteration, loiters, remains or congregates in a public place with other persons so masked or disguised, or knowingly permits or aids persons \ so masked or disguised to congregate in a public place; except that such conduct is not unlawful when it occurs in connection with a masquerade party or like entertainment if, when such entertainment is held in a city which has promulgated regulations in connection with such affairs, permission is first obtained from the police or other appropriate authorities; or
5. Loiters or remains in or about school grounds, a college or university building or grounds or a children's overnight camp as defined in section one thousand three hundred ninety-two of the
public health law or a summer day camp as defined in section one thousand three hundred ninety two of the public health law, or loiters, remains in or enters a school bus as defined in section one hundred forty-two of the vehicle and traffic law, not having any reason or relationship involving custody of or responsibility for a pupil or student, or any other specific, legitimate reason for being there, and not having written permission from anyone authorized to grant the same or loiters or remains in or about such children's overnight camp or summer day camp in violation of conspicuously posted rules or regulations governing entry and use thereof; or
6. Loiters or remains in any transportation facility, unless specifically authorized to do so, for the purpose of soliciting or engaging in any business, trade or commercial transactions involving the sale of merchandise or services, or for the purpose of entertaining persons by singing, dancing or playing any musical instrument; or
7. Loiters or remains in any transportation facility, or is found sleeping therein, and is unable to give a satisfactory explanation of his presence.
Loitering is a violation.
---------------------------------
westviewgirl: I agree that having places to congregate is important, but I don't believe the Youth Center is the solution to all the problems. Things like this require funding (RIOC? NYC?) because they need people to staff them, and it's not just merely opening a place. When RIOC had its basketball thing on Friday and Saturday nights in February 2012, I took a look: some nice moments of guys shooting hoops, but there were still people hanging out in Blackwell Park, i.e., having an open facility didn't bring everyone in, and having a nighttime basketball activity didn't bring in all the nighttime basketball players.
Even if you work 40 hours a week, that leaves about 70+ hours of free time. Thus, jobs (or not) isn't the issue for people hanging out. In fact, jobs can have a negative effect: given the choice between a group of lesser employed youths each having $20-30 in their pockets, or a group of extra employed youths having $500 in their pockets, which do you prefer?
Lastly, you keep raising some issue of property values. Unless Roosevelt Island significantly changes from being the safest sector in Queens, then (in my opinion) crime will have little effect on property values. However, increases in crime will affect our *perception* of Quality of Life, which we residents have voiced concerns on and off for decades. Said differently, the primary reason for focusing on public safety and crime is about improving quality of life, not about property values.
Section 240.36 relates to loitering, and section 240.20 relates to disorderly conduct, namely points 3 (in public place using abusive or obscene language or making obscene gestures), point 5 (obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic), and point 7 (creating a physically offensive condition that serves no legitimate purpose). This all happens in front of that deli. Incorporate what we all witness with the same "youth" on this island (controlled substances included) and what do you get? Gangs, law enforcement accusations, and eventually gun shots.
you can email the mayor (not sure it matters, but why not...). I sent one a few weeks ago. go to nyc.gov. It's not all that's necessary, but it's a start.
Sounds nice. at 2am last night, someone was setting off fireworks on the walkway along the river - group of about a dozen teens. I guess it's not the 1980s anymore...
One last point - it's fun debating things in hindsight, but look at recent events: someone was attacked in front of gristedes, THEN someone was shot in front of the deli. We're all becoming more aware of a "gang" on the island... things are getting WORSE, that's not debatable. I agree with Westviewgirl - it's time for NYPD.
Forget about the shooting. When the hell are we getting a baked by melissa cup cakes store for all the one percenters living in southtown and octagon. And their bratty kids
OldRossie: You've made my point. It is not loitering, and the points you cite were my explanation that I conveyed from an NYPD officer (who referred to Disorderly Conduct), except that I said "impeded traffic flow" (quotation of NYPD officer) rather the exact wording of the law "obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic" -- a distinction without a difference since I'm pointing to Disorderly Conduct and not loitering, right?
As for "controlled substances", I question how true that is. Those people in front of the deli are not here to explain themselves, but I have only seen one "transaction" in the past year or two. Here's the reason why you know something isn't right about your statement:
(1) Public Safety has video of the store front. If drug transactions were going on, then PSD would have a field day of arrests, with many incident reports to support your idea, but that isn't so.
(2) The drug crime on this Island, as reported by PSD incidents, is less than the average City-wide, i.e., total drug incidents on Roosevelt Island is (per capita) about the same marijuana arrests City-wide (which does not include other drugs).
If you see something, then call PSD or NYPD right away.
In summary, your complaint about the youth on the Island and controlled substances is unsubstantiated. It's easy to complain about people and attribute all sorts of bad things about them. Now, I'm not saying these people are perfect, but we are a society of laws, facts, justice, and fairness. Not to mention the storefront (and inside) are videotaped. Do you really think we should be a society of unsubstantiated hunches: that person doesn't look right to me, he hangs out with people I don't like, and (of course) he certain to have controlled substances on him?
I'm not saying we shouldn't deal with crime, but (in the spirit of justice and fairness) we need to substantiate the complaints.
Unsubstantiated!?! do they have to shoot you personally before you consider it substantiated?
OldRossie, I agree with you and westviewgirl that we need NYPD, but not exactly for the reasons you explain.
Firstly, we've had a couple incidents recently, such as Gristedes robbery, the domestic incident (NYPD called it Assault; PSD called it Attempted Manslaughter), and the shooting.
Is this a trend or merely a set of incidents.
Circa 1995, we had similar problems, including a string of burglaries. The string of burglaries was solved, and the so-called Crime Wave stopped. At that time, we were getting lots of vocal complaints, not too different than recently, about a Crime Wave: a variety of concerns, some baseless attributed to the usually social/ethnic stereotypes, e.g., "those Section 8 people [of color] hanging out at 2-4 River Road and causing problems". In fact, the perp lived in Island House/Westview and was not in Section 8 housing.
My point is: Before everyone gets wound up into a frenzy, let's get the right kind of policing (I agree, NYPD is better equipped trained), but let's wait until there's a better sense of an actual trend (or not) based upon facts, not stereotypes.
Secondly, I agree with you and westviewgirl that NYPD is a better choice: the have the full training, they are better equipped, they have a CCRB, and all we need is the right contract vehicle to make use of them. So complaining to the Mayor about lack of NYPD won't be helpful because he'll look at the stats and say: We don't deserve much manpower, based upon crime level.
A better argument is: RIOC should use its money it spends on PSD and divert it to NYPD policing, the Mayor hears "RI needs more NYPD officers, and is willing to pay for them", no problem. And that idea needs to be conveyed to RIOC, whose board members brains are locked into olde-time thinking.
OldRossie, you said "this all happens in front of that deli. Incorporate what we all witness
with the same "youth" on this island (controlled substances included)". So please substantiate your complaints about "controlled substances". A substantiated complaint would be a prompt report to PSD on date/time, who, etc. of what you had observed. Of course, if there is a problem, then we all want it addressed. I'm not seeing any of your complaints substantiated.
As the one percenters come back to the island after their july 4th weekend at the hamptons they are going to be upset to hear about the shooting
You're right that I haven't called public safety for every joint smoked or baggie traded, but you're kidding yourself if you think it's not going on. But that's ok - keep your head down and eyes closed, and we'll revisit after the next shooting.
Why do people think that people on sec 8 are low income
A person making over 100,000 dollars a year can be on sec 8 as long as they are living in a 3 or 4 bedroom apartment in eastwood
That's a possible explanation: It was a business dispute that exploded into violence. The issue may have been asserting control over the drug business on RI. The shot may have been fired to make the point that BGM is not to elbow its way into the business that is controlled by the Ravenswood gang. Let's not forget there was a recent giant drug-related bust In Ravenswood-Queensbridge Houses. But, how likely is it that this bust, albeit giant, really wiped out the drug business in that community?
Was the shooting victim on RI a member of BGM?
If so, the "message" may have been: Keep your hands off Ravenswood profits! If not, here's what you can expect: A shot in the hand, this time - but next time, maybe worse.
Westviewgirl and Old Rossie: Cuomo will never give up RI. It'd be an admission of defeat/failure if he did.
If you really want to do something to get NYPD on the island, start a petition. Maybe that will have an effect.
But, in general, you're up against entrenched interests both in State gov and business.
You should study the RIOC law to see if there might be a way to get it amended so that police protection is ceded to NYPD - after all, we receive fire protection from the FDNY, it's not such a stretch that police protection on RI should also be the responsibility of the NYPD. Maybe the law could be amended to provide for NYPD protection and the dismantling of the the PSD.
You could reach out to various leaders in the Legislature to get an idea of what the likelihood is of such an amendment making it through the Legislature, and what their thoughts might be on the matter in general.
If you really feel we are inadequately protected by the PSD, you have every right to call for the PSD to be replaced by the NYPD: A petition, an outreach effort, working with Serrano perhaps to draft such an amendment, all these are possible avenues for action to achieve your goal.
OldRossie, it is YOU who turn your head and ignore problems. You say there is an issue (that matters to you), but you don't want to report it, which would cause something to be done about the problem. So that's acceptable to you?
When you say "we'll revisit after the next shooting". Well if you're not going to report what you see, then how do you think law enforcement will be able to do something to prevent the next shooting (which you attribute to drug trade)?
I will make a few comments here. First,I am a former Psd officer,now working for nypd. I have many friends left in Psd so it where my info comes from,straightvfrom the horses mouth.
Now frank,you say that Psd is scared to move people away from the deli,very wrong sir. Psd did it all the time,but then people like Erin feely complained about them moving people who were hanging out front of the deli,coursing at all hours of the night etc.so rioc said to Psd to leave them alone. So it's not the officers that afraid,it's rioc. So lets get that correct.
Second,as stated to you by the commander of the 114 pct,nypd is not a private police dept. You can not simply pay for it's policing. You can pay for overtime details but then the officers are SIMPLY visible deterrents,nothing more. They will NOT patrol,they will NOT do vertical patrols and mobile patrols,no matter what you,nypd does not do that. Even if rioc throws the mediocre Psd budget at nypd,it will do no good. The police dept does not operate in that manner. You want more nypd presence,then you need more crime. Plain and simple.
Now kitty,no the individual who was shot was not bgm but an off island male. My friend tells me that Psd officers recovered the shell casings from the gun and nypd recovered 2 firearms that were dropped during a foot chase
That makes sense - i guess we could just point fingers at EVERY resident for not shooting back. But I'll give you some credit on the point: You're right! I should be calling PSD when i think it's necessary - i dont disagree with that. I called once when a half dozen of these kids were smoking a joint in the playground behind manhattan park - I'm not sure if there was any response, but i lost interest in doing my part thereafter. It'd be hypocritical to say something stupid like "I shouldn't be the only one that has to call" (or, "it's YOU for turning your head"). But there seems to be no recourse. Those kids don't hide. Last night when they were setting off the firecrackers at 2 am, they didn't rush off - they laughed and meandered their way down the walk. No one has caught the shooter, and beyond this blog no one seems to care. I'm not an intimidating person, and I would stand out to these guys, so I'm not going to stop in front of shady business to make a call or snap a picture... Isn't that why NYPD patrols?
Also, i never said the shooting, or the next one, is a result of a "drug trade" - you made that connection. i'm saying there should be no doubt that it was the same people. Anyone (PSD or otherwise) cracking down on generally troublesome activity (loitering, disorderly conduct, controled substances, etc) would be more helpful than basically anything anyone has done
This Ãs just boys being boys
Not really there is a gang called BGM and they actually posted the event to facebook, including a note that psd was shutting it down. The fact the term psd not police was used tells you it was probably an island resident.
Frank based on comments I am guessing that OldRossie was also including area between 2-4 and 10 River Rd where a lot of youth congregate at night and are quite loud and disruptive. We have had a hard time getting psd involved they seem reluctant, in fact one resident told me that psd and building security are afraid to confront youths. It obviously escalates as hot weather picks up, which create greater agitation on people living above courtyard..
OldRossie: I appreciate your response. If you do call PSD, but don't get a response ... that's an important tidbit, and we can do something about that. But not calling means we can't do anything about it. I am aware of situations where PSD has been called on the smell of marijuana in hallways but PSD did not respond or responded very late (which makes it useless). At least the problem can get addressed if there is a report.
You're right and I agree with you "Anyone (PSD or otherwise) cracking down on generally troublesome activity (loitering, disorderly conduct, controled substances, etc)
would be more helpful than basically anything anyone has done".
KTG: I agree the 2-4-10 RR area is problematic. I was at the Motorgate stop at Gristede's and some car pulled up 2-4-10 RR with sound so loud, we couldn't talk at Motorgate, and it went on for a while. I picked up the phone to call PSD, but it stopped at that moment. At other times, I've called PSD about noise there.
If possible, wait for PSD to arrive so you can point it out. Yeah, I know that sounds like a dumb idea since it is obvious to us where the noise is, but PSD might be approaching in different directions and the noise might not be obvious (yet) to them.
So if you want them to do something about it, make sure you wait until they have arrived either at you or the scene.
Please post a link to the Facebook post.
https://www.facebook.com/events/427068693984331/
The last post was in 2012. This is 2013.
Two good suggestions have been made: 1. install a camera at the bridge so the PSD can see if there are any unusual numbers of people coming to the island and 2. require a permit for gatherings of more than a certain of people (40?) so that a security detail can be assigned.
These are good suggestions and I have repeated them in a separate post.
The problem is not just 2-4-10 River Road, it is also in different locales on the island ex. Deli/Island house.. So before you mention addresses....just say Main Street.
I agree with these as well - PSO at the top of the helix makes sense (if only for the presence), and a more structured use of the facilities on the island would be ideal (though I expect it'd be difficult - it may be suggesting changes to park rules city wide, which is unlikely). Still, things that should be discussed.
Really?? You refuse to acknowledge that this in an ongoing problem first (?) ACKNOWLEDGED on this blog in 2009? http://rooseveltislander.blogspot.com/2009/04/roosevelt-island-gang-initiation.html
Read the article, then read the charming comments. If Frank/CheshireKitty/et al spent 1 week hanging out on the benches in front of the RIOC offices (ie across from 580) they would recognize that there were a bunch of either "wanna-bes" or very clearly "active" trouble makers/gang members (who, if they are not gang related, certainly do everything they can to seem to be so). Excusing the behavior, blaming it on RIOC incompetence, obfuscating that fact with constant attacks on resident RIOC Board Members, Keith Guerra, now Erin & anyone else who disagrees with him, only does a disservice to everyone who lives in/is trying to raise a family in this community.
I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but suggesting that if accusations are made, they should have something behind them other than an anonymous person's opinion and a FB post a year old. For the record, I want to island to be safe, but not at the cost of misinterpretations, false accusations and civil rights violations.
interestedparties: You're not good at reading my posts. If there are people impeding traffic flow (and other illegal activities), then PSD should do something about them. I have consistently held that position for a long while. But PSD does little.
Also, if you carefully read my posts you'll see that I distinguish between lawful congregation and unlawful acts. NYPD seem to be good at distinguishing among them. PSD is not so good at distinguishing among them.
As for doing families a disservice, there has been much Public Safety abuse, as has been documented. The RIOC Board and RIOC executive staff are part of the problem.
interestedparties, it's easy to write anonymous posts like yours, say something ridiculous, and not have to stand up for your opinions, right?
The amount of gang activity on the Island seems relatively low. If there were significant gang activity, they PSD would be thrilled to post their actions against in (i.e., in the incident reports), but there is little documentation to support gang activity as a widespread problem.
As someone pointed out: fireworks were going off the other night (July 4th weekend). Fireworks are not a problem on Thanksgiving weekend, or Presidents' Day, or Easter/Passover, right? Fireworks are (largely) around a week plus/minus July 4. If you read the facebook page on the event (or even recall the past couple July 4 events), it seems there is an annual party at Lighthouse. Just like prior years, it was unruly. Did PSD do better or worse this year? I'm not really sure since we had a repeat of a prior year: party at lighthouse, unruly break-up, incident in front of deli. The solution seems to be: if they're going to have a party next year, make them get a permit for their event, and pay for the proper security of their event.
Rationally (i.e., not emotionally), as a society we distinguish among good actions and bad actions, not good people and bad people. What I resist is the idea that we need to just arrest/abuse people because the *might* be a member of a gang. I am in favor of law enforcement and justice for illegal actions. So associating with a gang, while a poor choice, is not an illegal activity per se. Congregating, cursing, and obstructing the flow of traffic around the deli is illegal (whether gang member or not), and law enforcement should correct the problem (disperse, warning, summons, arrest, etc.).
Just saw Westviewer's post, I agree.
If RIOC can somehow manage to shake down food trucks for fees above and beyond what the city already charged them, I don't see why it can't put forth a permit requirement.
The funny thing is that Psd isnt relucant to get involved,this is what the residents wanted,including you frank. Everyone was crying saying that Psd is harassing kids,leave them alone,they are just hanging out. Going go board meetings complaing that Psd is harassing people for doing nothing. So now Psd stopped "harassing" the "kids" it's a problem and Psd isn't doing anything about it. Wrong,this is what the residents wanted!!!! And it's all coming back and biting them in the a##. Don't blame Psd,blame yourselves. It's you who wanted Psd to operate like a 2nd grade security dept. So just admit you messes up,ask rioc to remove the enforcement ban that it has on Psd and maybe things will get better. The only way your going to get nypd here is when it's too late and crime goesthrough the roof. DDoesn't matter how many petition start. Those are just papers with names on them as viewed by government
Please that's not the case, you really need to settle down I don't really care about your f@!cking PSD/RIOC conspiracy theories. I have a child on this island it my only priority.
Read my prior posts I am pretty consistent I expect people on island to be responsible for themselves I don't get in to the petty politics. I have never really joined any of PSD based conversations, I want NYPD here to be clear.
Regarding the Facebook post its clearly an annual event whether they used that medium to organize this year is irrelevant. Clearly the last few years they have done it one island. While I was on vacation for this event but clearly from talking to my neighbors there was a large gathering of shady people and it wasn't totally spontaneous. So likely they did again this year and my comment about using the term PSD still holds up. Rather than making assumptions about agenda open up to fact we made need to help make changes on island for every one
BTW - I really don't like the tone of "old-time" residents on the board a feeling shared by a lot of my neighbors. I live here regardless of when I came, I have no need to prove anything to any one here, I come for information or to share my opinion on what is right or wrong. So if you don't want to listen or address me politely as a neighbor don't reply.
jack m: PSD is not afraid? Last year's wingding photo of them in front of PSD's offices - this in done at precinct houses? I'm guessing they are impeding traffic in the Eastwood arcade. OK, maybe I'm wrong: they just gathered for a group photo, just like prom night (their prom dates are in a later photo in the facebook photo set). However, if you look at the other photos, you'll see a fair amount of congregation on Main Street ... don't see PSD anywhere with all this happening in front of PSD headquarters.
When PSD is not handling what is in front of their headquarters, or 50 yards north of them (at the deli), then all parties (PSD, people hanging out, residents, etc.) get the same impression: PSD projects weakness, and their photo-op in front of PSD makes that point. Yes, it is possible to project weakness and be abusive at the same time.
NYPD does a better job with this kind of stuff.
Oh, you weren't even here when it happened? I'm not saying the events didn't happen, just that we should all be careful about our assumptions and accusation and be able to back them up with something better, perhaps, than a year-old FB post. I come here to share my opinion, too, and if you look at my posts, you will see that my language is always temperate, in contrast to yours, and I quote you: "I don't really care about your f@!cking PSD/RIOC conspiracy theories," so if anyone needs to cool it, it's you.
Okay, I apologize for my response but I don't appreciate you accusing me of misreprenting myself.
I didn't make an accusation I simply responded to your post where yo said. It was psd propaganda. The gang seems to exist and seems to have held events on island. This independent from former psd head. If its the worst case possibility of how events kicked off than we need to think about how we address and not dismiss it as a possibility.
Oh, love Melissa!
And Central Park should be for residents on 5th Ave, CPS, and CPW. Maybe give a little bit to the residents to the north.
I am with you, Jack. The "kids" that the PSD was targeting are a long way from innocent. But tears and complains and "my poor innocent boy has been abused by the PSD" rhetoric changed things to the worse.
I hope you are trying to be sarcastic.
I just read it for the comedy section: the letters to the editor.
YetAnotherRIer, you believe arrests themselves should be punitive, i.e., punishment for some past action that can/was not prosecuted? That's how this abuse starts: (1) believing people are not innocent, and (2) punishing them for those beliefs. It's not about making a legitimate charge and prosecuting the charge, its about using the arrest process itself as punishment, right?
And now you claim: PSD is ignoring illegal activities?
What seems more plausible is that your sense of justice is: someone who is/was *associated* with someone who has done something wrong should be punished (there crime is Association); and even if the made-up charges don't stick, they got punishment by suffering the arrest process. Right?
Guess what: This community doesn't like that, nor do other communities ... advocating for injustice ain't right.
I think you're missing the point - YetAnother and Jack are suggesting (as I interpret it) that PSD is doing nothing about illegal activities because if they do, they'll be attacked again. As a result, kids can get away with anything. The only thing I'd say to Jack is that it's not what ALL residents wanted... just the loud ones.
Either way, PSD should simply be doing their jobs, or be replaced
OldRossie, then I agree with you , YetAnotherRIer, and Jack if all you are saying is: PSD should be doing something about illegal activities. But, I don't see that in their statements: YetAnotherRIer advocates, essentially, there people who are Known To Be Bad (regardless of their actual actions), and they should be punished (I'll look up YetAnotherRIer's actual quotation). For Jack, he doesn't know jack. He's wrong on a variety of issues, and he doesn't have the mental discipline to distinguish among legal/illegal acts; otherwise he would do like the 114 Pct officers do: give a clear operational and patrolling perspective on what is/isn't illegal. Jack is just another Guerra clone (just because Guerra is gone, the clones aren't gone - and there are many).
OldRossie: Please carefully read their posts, I don't believe there positions are how you describe.
I have a great idea. The people living in southtown and octagon will invite all the gang members to their apartments and give them cupcakes from Baked by melissa this is their way of giiving back to roosevelt island.and its a good write off
The one percenters living on the island should invite all gang members to their homes in the hamptons for the summer
With regard to the shooting. I hear it was a BB gun.
Bill Blass = Joe Carbo
I am pretty sure gang members are more fans of Crumbs or Sprinkles cupcakes. Don't listen to anyone the cupcake bit is working.
Its more likely the 90-94% income bracket. Although I am trying to crack into 96-97% range.
Ahhh frank frank frank. Still a the dumb ol frank of old. Little do you know that im a former Psd officer now nypd officer. So please do not preach to me a discipline and patrolling. You are SIMPLY a Google hero,I live it everyday my man. Second,it's easy for you to talk the tough guy talk,and say Psd should do this and do that and move people from here to there. Your sitting your fat a## at home,in the same pair of crocs you've been wearing for the past 2 years. Lets see you move a group of criminals by yourself and unarmed. Oh but wait,nypddoes it.yes we do it,but we also always have officers paired up which Psd should do,and oh yea,we also have these things on our hip called firearms. You would be amazed at how simply having one on your hip will move a crowd. But you wouldn't understand cause all you do is walk from trellis to island house with your crocs hahahaha. But any who,I can point many flaws with Psd but what do you expect from the minimum training they receive at Psd which I know first hand is a joke. What do you expect from the salary they receive. Are you willing to literally risk your life frank for 40 grand a year???? Answer that question. I made 93k last year with pd. Psd officers don't make 50k with overtime. So again I ask you,are you willing to hurt yourself,possibly give your life for an island that doesn't care for you? The officers are not freaking machines,they are people,they have Damn families that they want to go home to at the end of the day. So for you to sit there and constantly bash Psd and it's officers for what they do or don't do is a Damn shame sir. The number one and two killer of cops is making car stops and responding to domestic violence calls. Both of which Psd do with no gun and less thenhalf the pay other ddepts pay. So please,spare me.
And oldrosie,im sorry and your correct. Its not all the residents that dislike Psd. Itsimply is the loud ones like frank,meceeva,erin. Speaking off which,I'm heard her son has a job at rioc. What a joke considering his record. Aka harbouring a fugitive. You guys can simply foil that one.
Yes I changed my name
Because i will be running in the next rioc election. I wanted a hipster sounding name so i can win the hipster vote.I will be useing five diffent names as i will try to win each voting block. For the hispanic vote my name will be jose cruz. For the black vote my name is leroy jones. For the asin vote my name is jim lu
For the jewish vote my name is josh goldman..see i think i have all the voting blocks coved
Really.is that a fact
I just wish Bill would push for Butter Lane instead. Their cupcakes are a far more reasonable size and aren't drowning in icing. Plus, the pricing is far more reasonable.
I will be looking for the tires on craigslist.my car needs tires
Apparently you can just go to Motorgate and swap them yourself -- nobody is watching. Who knows, perhaps the victim wouldn't notice if they were swapped instead of stolen. ;)
So ever knowing frank,if you were a Psd officer,what would you have done about a group taking pictures front of your office? This is all you do is jump from side to side. You say Psd is scared to take action for people standing around around. But yet when they do,you stand up,you say that the group was doing nothing illegal and Psd harassed them for no reason. Make up your Damn mind. Everytime you post you lost credibility cause all you do is spew constant hatred for Psd. It's almost like it's personal for you.
The buzz word today is Cronut. Get them cronuts and they will stay off Main St - for good!
What are you doing with these posts Bill, replying to yourself? Do we have to be subjected to the voices in your head??
More parks for all of us.. that's the idea!
First, we need a skate park.
Jack (who doesn't know jack about PSD or NYPD), you can't tell me PSD isn't afraid if they know their activities are illegal (according to you), yet they do nothing about it. Jack, you're not real NYPD, your just an Officer Prozakis retread (who didn't know much about PSD/NYPD).
So according to this scenario, you need a taqueria on RI - not a cupcake shop. I could go for that.
Hey what's going on? I don't know you but we share something in common. I was also a PSD officer and went to nypd also. I made close to six figures and barely broke a sweat.We also share a dislike for Farance. He is a great typist but a horrible speaker. He looks stuff up and makes himself an expert at everything police related. I too was a happy go luck psd officer when I first got hired. I too wanted to help. I too wanted to stop the drug activity going on. I made plenty of lawful arrests and did my job the way I swore to do. The training was very weak at best, this is the honest truth. The pay was horrific but the benefits and commute home was decent. Dummy me I wish we had a pension at least for putting our lives on the line with no firearm, at the very least. I wasted that time and it was non transferable to the police pension fund.
During my time there Farance was nothing but a problem. He would follow officers around taking pictures like a tourist. He made working there problematic. He even went as far as to send pictures to the post showing we were giving COURTESY to other cops/firemen/corrections with a placard near th firemen field
I have been reading this blog for a while now. Maybe 2 years. I was also a psd officer and went to nypd. I can assure you, I was scared every single day I came to work. I am not saying I was shaking in my boots or scared of confrontation and being hands on if I had too. I am talking about taking police action and possibly getting shot at and not being able to do anything about it.
This is the most information i've ever gotten about PSD. So between you and jack - what do you think about disbanding PSD and bringing in nypd? Would it be better for all? Is it even possible/reasonable?
I honestly with my feelings set aside believe disbanding psd would be a big mistake. This small community with the handful of people, lets say 100 cannot or never will be able to control or dictate how the nypd responds. It is laughable that Farance and others believe they know police work and when they tout that this is the safest sector in the 114. Yeah, sector. How big is really sector R? It's extremely laughable when that is being said. A safe sector means very little. I do believe in training. I train whenever I can during my off duty times. Different conferences, training, classes, anything to help me do my job. When I got hired by psd my training was very weak. It was about 2 weeks and off to the street I went. Maybe another week was added for handcuffing, spray and baton later on near or just after getting sworn in by nypd. Another factor is pay. RIOC pays their law enforcement personell who risk their lives and respond to all types of calls very minimal. It's pathetic honestly. I was getting paid $18 an hour prior to leaving. I loved being a cop, even if it was for psd. Was I cop? Yeah I like to think so. I locked up people lawfully. I knew my job and did it 110% every single day. Was it hard when mr.farance followed us around taking pictures and making a big stink of this. Absolutely. Did it take a toll and make me say screw this place after a while when you get next to zero appreciation. Absolutely.
My message was cut off for some reason. So I will continue here. Was it also hard to deal with the island youth while working. Yes. Was it difficult to get compliance from them to move along. Yes it was. It was also very disturbing to hear their parents or guardians tell them they are just public safety not cops. Basically saying we are security guards and cannot do anything to them. Which was very wrong. So what happened? Repeated confrontations.
As a law enforcement officer. We are not trained to back down. We are not trained to show weakness. Now since we don't back down or try to show weakness, what do the teenagers do. They fight. They resist. Look. I'm not here to comment on these recent problems. I know the officers involved personally and I will not get involved with those issues. I will say that I was disrespected numerous times by youths of all ages, even grown adults. Not only was I but so were my co workers. I never had so many resisting arrest charges attached to any arrest report in my career as I did on Roosevelt island. I never once took my baton out. It was all hand to hand. I never used beat anyone but they loved to resist. It was funny even while lodging them in central bookings while handcuffed they still said we were just security guards. I never grasped that. I don't know why I am rambling about my time with psd but maybe it needed to come off my chest.
So do I believe psd needs to be disbanded. Absolutely not. The nypd does not care if we lock up Timmy, who is Mrs. Timmy's kid. In PSD we at least looked at the totality of the circumstances. But that was then, now is now. We did not have this bgm gang. They were too small. This next generation needs enforcement before its too late. If you believe a single nypd officer is making a difference, you are sadly mistaking. If you think even 5 will make a difference, still mistaking. Roosevelt Island is probably a punishment post. Is it really. I don't know. Just my opinion and guess. I know I would and so would my fellow officers go to a large group call and if the group did not disperse upon our commands the boss will say lock them up. I know i or many of my coworkers keep repeating ourselves to the same offenders with no action. We ask only once, the second time, I will make you move.which means you will be getting to know me a little better at the precinct.
Strap on a set of handcuffs pin a shield on your chest and you move them. Why would I move a group taking pictures? It takes seconds to snap a picture. Why escalate a situation over a photo. Gang bangers or church goers, who wants to start a problem over a photo. It's not as if the arcades are overflowed with pedestrian traffic like 7th avenue at rush hour.
Not to get it mistaken if the group is actually discourteous and really impeding passerbys as well as making obscene gestures, they will then be asked to move, or enforcement action will be taken. Respect is a two way street. I moved along groups by myself many times. They knew if they did not move, they may be subjected to summonses and or arrest. I see times have changed where psd officers cannot be cops and are literally handcuffed themselves to take action. This is why the island is going down the tubes.
Isn't there an actual area there where people are supposed to sit out - with a pergola-like construction? I thought the open areas around Manhattan Park are for the residents' use - with seating areas and so forth.
Wrong: Petitions are powerful. It was a simple petition calling for the ouster of Morsi that resulted in the recent revolution and the removal of the democratically-elected President of Egypt and the cancellation of the Egyptian Constitution which had been drafted by democratically-elected representatives.
The City/police does not ticket excessive noise violations enough in general. It is one thing to quietly sit and chat on a bench in a outdoor green area, but another to blast loud music from a car. The first should be permitted, the second should be ticketed.
Think how astonishing it would be if a fine mist began to descend from some type of irrigation line suspended over the sidewalk in front of the deli - on those hot summer nights - just as things begin to heat up..! Instant - dispersal! Instant - hydration! Possibly, instant - fun!
Roosevelt Islanders should insist that the plaza in front of the RIOC office be transformed into a cafe area for the deli. That way, anybody - youth or adults, anybody from any building - can take advantage of the breezes sweeping in from the river at that particular spot, refreshing breezes which are in fact not found - at least not to such an extent - elsewhere along Main St.
Youth do not congregate in the plaza outside the RIOC office because they are patriotic, or feel a special affinity for RIOC! The reason this spot is popular is because it's the breeziest - coolest - spot along Main St. Why not accept this reality and turn the area into an outdoor cafe?
It was designed to be an outdoor green space until RIOC decided to turn it into a makeshift/de facto parking lot for RIOC vehicles. RIOC wants the space for their vehicles - but they, like the rest of us, could simply use Motorgate.
NotMyKid: If you look at the full set of photos, they were there in the arcade for a while, it appears they were blocking the Eastwood arcade, it wasn't just a quick photo.
But the reason they give PSD little respect (and these photos were year ago) is because PSD shows weakness, which is why the deli problem has persisted. As I've said, NYPD does this better.
The youths on the island need jobs. The businesses on the island should post jobs for youths for the summer. If your a person who has their own business , maybe your company needs to employ a teen so they can gain experience in the workplace.
The issue is the volume at hours between 11:00 PM & 1:00 AM. I live above the courtyard and I run AC starting in April because I can't open my windows, this a pretty common complaint.
It was a Damn military coup not a petition
Of course nypd does it better. We have guns and can defend ourselves is something serious happens. Everyone is afraid of the gun. Just seeing it is a compliance tool. I know because I filled the public safety officer shoes and now I am filling nypd shoes. Don't be mistaken a solo cop would not dare approach a group of 5 or more by themselves on a corner and move the people. That is piss poor tactics. Dangerous too. I can't even count how many times I was challenged by someone about my authority of all ages just because they thought i was a security guard and could not do anything to them. Even their parents would snarl public safety is just security. It's not easy. Not easy at all dealing with that mindset. I did not care what they called me. I did my job and they found out the hard way along the line that this security guard just locked them up or gave them a summons.
2-4 river road should be condemned. That place was my biggest and most dangerous headache as a public safety officer. I lost track of how many drug arrests and summonses I issued over there. It was out of control when I was there and it is still out of control.2-4 rr needs to be emptied out and restructured with better family interviews and backround checks. The islands drug problems and gang problems start at 2-4.
You forgot about Eastwood
THANK YOU. I hope everyone sees that post - every third comment I make on this blog is about the nonsense that comes in and out of that building. I always thought it was getting worse, but it sounds like they're just getting more brazen.
"I know I would and so would my fellow officers go to a large group call and if the group did not disperse upon our commands the boss will say lock them up."
I agree that this is the best approach. Unfortunately, there are people loud and obnoxious enough on this island to turn things to the worse.
What a sad response, Frank.
I think the Deli should be shut down. The RIOC can be instrumental in this. Jack up the rent.
I am speechless.
I must say if i was a psd officer.without a gun i would not go after the real bad guys either
Thanks to Jack and NotMyKid, this is starting to feel like a productive conversation. So training PSD seems to be the call of the day, at least until/if NYPD takes over (for better or for worse). Who do we talk to about that (besides each other)? Who's in charge of those guys that actually want to see positive changes?
As an aside, an untrained and unarmed PSD officer can be just as vulnerable as average-Joe when they have to stand up to these losers. The rest of us should remember that when we calll PSD and hide in the corner (not preaching - telling myself too).
Absolutely not. The bulk of my arrests were not even residents. That was a silly reply. You simply wish to be the sheep and ignore what has been going on. Your definjtion of kids is what? A 6'0 17year old at about 200lbs can fight pretty well. You fail to realize that these so called kids fight and they don't understand the repercussions of going to jail over simply just moving along. I was firm but fair.
Do you really think anyone would try doing the same thing in front of a police precinct station house in Manhattan? It's the symbolism of the photos that's most damning; it shows the attendees have no respect for PSD, and the photos are the proof. Even if RIOC/NYS doesn't switch to all NYPD for island security, then the NYPD presence at least should be increased.
A lucid comment from Bill! What happened? Ran out of weed?
Do we really need these blanket characterizations Bill? Yes - of course they're outgunned if the perp is armed with a gun. But they're not *totally* powerless.. and they can summon NYPD.
It may take years before NYPD replaces PSD - if ever. Security is needed on RI - in light of the recent violent incidents, now more than ever. So we must work to improve the effectiveness of what we have: PSD.
I hope McManus boosts the morale at PSD and institutes humane enforcement guidelines.
Sometimes reality bites Yet.
Why not have another Starbucks/cafe there instead of the deli? The area outside the RIOC office could be transformed into an outdoor seating area for the cafe.
NotMyKid: You say laughable, but I am quoting the commanding officer of the 114 Pct on stats. They explain that our low crime rate rationalizes little NYPD presence. Gee, I would have guessed you knew something about our neighborhood.
Regardless, you're a wimp when you say things like "Wasit hard when mr. farance followed us around taking pictures and making a big stink of this. Absolutely. Did it take a toll and make me say screw this place after a while when you get next to zero appreciation. Absolutely.". You've explained to everyone why you have little mental discipline, and you shouldn't be an officer here (or maybe anywhere).
Oh My Gosh! Officer NotMyKid is afraid of picture taking that pointed out that he didn't know how to do his job. Steve Shane and Keith Guerra knew I was right about my complaints, which is why they changed things on parking enforcement (which was documented in the WIRE and the NY Post). Yeah, you want to protect some buddies with bogus permits (not actually related to their work that moment) and, in fact, deplete the very very limited parking spaces (50-ish) for approximately 6000 residents in the WIRE buildings.
You're a poor cop with a poor attitude.
I hear you - I used to do the same thing myself at one point: Would run the a/c on fan anytime to drown out street noise. Eventually you get used to it.. or can use earplugs.. the point is, if it interferes with the quiet enjoyment of your unit, and getting some sleep, then you call in a noise complaint. Nevertheless the problem would recur despite residents' calling in noise complaints for years. There is no place for these kids to hang out after-hours - although the truth is, where they should really be is home like everyone else, trying to get some sleep.
Former PSD NotMyKid: "Was it hard when mr. farance followed us around taking pictures and making a big stink of this. Absolutely. Did it take a toll and make me say screw this place after a while when you get next to zero appreciation. Absolutely."
Just for the record, here's the kind bogus parking enforcement Office NotMyKid defends (which consumed much parking on Main Street, circa 2007).
- First photo: what official placards look like
- Second photo: bogus placard for RISAR, who had no official status
- Third photo: an *expired* placard for *Rikers* Island, maybe they got lost on the wrong island?
- Fourth photo: bogus placard for so-called US Fugitive Recovery Service.
I have hundreds more photos. PSD was doing a lousy job, I don't know why NotMyKid defends this.
As Officer NotMyKid points out, only his friends were able to park, because there wasn't much parking for residents who were paying for parking.
Yet & jack: The military supported the revolution, which started from a "laughable" petition calling for the ouster of democratically-elected Morsi and the cancellation of the Islamist-drafted Constitution.
Who had the last laugh? Many revolutions do not represent the will of the majority.
In this case, the secular vanguard was supported by the secular military in implementing a relatively bloodless revolution, which began, in fact, in a "laughable" petition.
Parking corruption before the time of Guerra was smashed by painstaking accumulation of photographic evidence obtained by Frank. Result: Everyone can now park on Main St, not just the friends/cronies of RIOC-PSD.
Ain't gonna happen: You know that and I know that. We're not living in a police state - yet. So accept it and deal with it. Maybe NYPD should focus on that building - monitoring drug-related activity and eventually coming down on any organized gangs like they recently did with the giant bust at Queensbridge-Ravenswood. That means meticulously piecing together evidence, probably undercover NYPD presence, wiretaps, and so forth.
I don't think PSD has the wherewithal to deal with 2-4 RR: Training/tactics & guns. Only the resources of the NYPD can deal with organized drug gangs - if that is what is fueling 2-4 RR complaints/crime.
Not my business.. but wimp? Someone that puts on a uniform and falls asleep at a desk is less of a wimp that someone that photographs him doing it (example for argument sake).
Eastwood is the largest single residential building on RI. The masses of people in Eastwood and across the river in the projects need to have adequate bbq spaces - Bloomberg's policy of taking away parkland/green spaces in the projects, turning them over for luxury development, just makes matters worse. Imagine how disappointed you would be if there were no bbq spots - and you didn't have the option/money to just go to a bbq restaurant and spend $50-100 to feed your family? It is nice that NYC is growing but parkland/infrastructure must grow with it.
Cops shouldn't object to photographs: If they are doing their job correctly, they have nothing to fear.
and must be paid for.
Yes, of course. This is where income inequality comes in, and the need to adjust tax brackets to pay for needed infrastructure (among other things).
Even though urbanism is here to stay, do we really want the US to turn into another China, with its scores of cities containing hundreds or even thousands of high-rises and so forth? Does that equal a better or worse QOL?
Maybe NYC has reached its physical limit in terms of development and instead the focus should be on improving what is already there such as existing parks. Unfortunately, there is almost zero profit to be made from improving or increasing park land. Thus, elected officials hand over parkland/green space for development: the city grows, but QOL declines.
That's a whole lot of broad arguments - and I'm not sure why we're talkin China... but at the end of the day, you gotta make money to spend money.
I summonsed risar cars plenty of times I also personallt summonsed that fake fugitive placard. I did give COURTESY to other law enforcement. Its called courtesy and discretion. The same courtesy and discretion I offered to anyone else. Problem was you created enemies for us with other cops and co's who would probably save our behinds if we were in serious trouble. Something you or any civilian can understand. Besides they typically parked ways away by the firehouse where noone typically parked. It was my lawful given right to exercise my discretion. Phony balony placs got ticketed no questions asked.
Maybe you did but did all the other PSOs? Evidently not, if the phony placard abuse/favoritism was ongoing.
Yes - I agree. But my point is they have money, lots of it, which is escaping taxation. New Yorkers are already heavily taxed - the brackets must be straightened out to hit the higher earners harder. Then, once things like school/infrastructure improvements are paid for, taxes on the less affluent, who are unfairly shouldering a disproportionate share of the tax burden, could even be adjusted downward.
I some what see your point about need for more park space in communities and its benefits. But RI has far more park space than most parts of the city, and yet we are talking about issues of youth crime and its not all trickling in from Ravenswood.
I'm really amazed by this thread and esp this post above. Sir, if you take a job in protection and complain that you don't make enough to risk your life then do exactly what you did and take another job. Don't put a community you are supposed to protect at risk while you collect a pay check you did not earn. People, including these "kids" need to take more responsibility for their actions. You don't like the way PSD is working, bring it up to you elected officials, start a petition, start a watch group - BE PROACTIVE! Stop passing blame and PLEASE stop admitting you took a check for a job you didn't do.
Maybe we are avoiding the elephant in the room: Why so many on RI send their kids to off-island private schools. We can decry the crime situation on RI endlessly, but doesn't it really stem from the poor quality of education available at PS 217? Shouldn't we instead be entreating the City to focus on 217, so that maybe the products of 217 would be in a position to succeed in HS & college, rather than take to the streets/drug business to make money?
"Just for the record, here's the kind bogus parking enforcement Office NotMyKid defends (which consumed much parking on Main Street, circa 2007)."
That's not how I read his comments. His complaint is about your approach mostly. IMHO. There is no discussion needed that you do come across as very abrasive.
"Your fault for not asking for courtesy parking."
Also his personality is not helping at all to get favors.
Right. So, no problems if I barge into your place of work and take pictures of you doing or not doing your job? I know, I know. Tax payers' right to transparency, etc. etc.
You should get your facts straight. Most kids on RI go to PS 217 for elementary school (the school has been changing for the better tremendously over the last five years). The rest either goes to gifted & talented schools elsewhere in Manhattan or to Midtown West (PS 212), another unzoned public school. Very few go to private - mostly diplomats' children go to UNIS - or parochial schools off-island.
Its a fair point, but we can just point to the City, we are the community and we are not supporting the school. Look at this blog any posts related to schools fund raising or actin items get almost no replies or interest.
I personally looked at 217 this year and the facilities are far better than any school I looked at (public,charter, private), but academic performance after grade 4 was a big factor in us looking elsewhere. I felt the PTA rep who was there was really invested and under appreciated. But in hearing the principal I thought it lacked staff and aggressive curriculum.
Principal said in tour when I asked about low scores that a big factor in low scores NY Board of Ed. was lack of community participation. As far as enrichment activities (computer lab, music etc) which city requires private funding for there were definitely some good things going on but you could also see fundraising activities not really matching up to a lot of top end public schools in Manhattan.
Say what you want about Hudson/Related they want that school to succeed not sure they are being being tapped the right way.
Yes, Officer NotMyKid is a wimp: he has weak mental self-discipline and self-control if someone taking pictures (not criminal activity) is doing so to protest uneven law enforcement. That person who is taking pictures, in fact, is on the same side of the law (he cares about at lawful and peaceful community and things being fair for everyone), but he's just complaining about job performance (at that point, the job not being done fairly).
So if that kind of stuff gets an officer upset, then he really needs to be in a different line of work because the so-called enjoyment of being a police officer is not about justice or fair enforcement, his enjoyment must come from something else (which isn't pretty). Yes, a wimp.
NotMyKid: You're so wrong. Those placards weren't at the firehouse, they were in front of 510/Rivercross, 595/Westview, and the 50-ish cars in the WIRE corridor. I just checked the photo set. So you're just making stuff up.
Also, it is not within your lawful discretion to have a bias on who you ticket or not. Which is why, after the was uneven enforcement was fully documented, you had to do it properly. PSD was told about it, but did nothing. It's only when it was in the WIRE and NY Post that it had an effect upon PSD operations.
Lastly, if you did need to give a courtesy, that could have been done, but it was like your courtesies took up most of the parking on Main Street. So your points "Problem was you created enemies for us with other cops and co's who
would probably save our behinds if we were in serious trouble", are just made up stuff. There were NO valid placards in any of that, so none of them were there on official business.
These are serious issues that are grappled with by the courts. Unfortunately, I do not have much information on the current legal status of photographic l/e on the job.
But, think back to the time of the Tompkins Sq riots; remember how the NYPD put tape over their badge numbers? This was so their use of excessive force could not later be tied to individual officers. They would have had a lot to fear had they been individually identifiable; they knew they were going to be cracking skulls in that riot, so they taped over their badge numbers before they started. As I said, cops who have nothing to hide, who are doing their jobs correctly, would not shy away from photographs.
The line is when does photographing l/e constitute OGA, when is it simply an action that is not against the law? If I am using a long lens to photograph an officer glancing at a phony placard but not writing a ticket, then I have proof that the officer, and likely the entire l/e organization, is corrupt in the matter of parking enforcement since they practice favoritism in handing out or not handing out parking tickets. I haven't obstructed the PSO in his job since I photographed him from a distance. So I don't think this type of photographic record of l/e action (or inaction) is a problem.
What's the matter with his approach? Would you rather we not have parking spots on Main St? Some of us had given up on finding spots on Main St for years. It was a hardship and Main St wasn't meant to be turned into a long-term parking lot for friends of RIOC-PSD! So it took one person's persistence to unmask RIOC-PSD's corruption in this instance - so what! The entire community benefited from his "abrasive" approach. And now you're complaining about it: Gimme a break, Yet!
Listen, I can only comment on my own courtesy and what I did as a courtesy for others. Not that it was widespread but if someone needed to park, they were guided way away from main street and near the firehouse. Where people rarely parked. You know it and I know it. I did summons risar and totally phony placards on a regular. Yes. Perhaps you never took the liberty of snapping a picture of those tickets on the windshield. Funny. So you snapped a picture of a couple of placards, and? What about the numerous other people without a placard who were offered courtesy parking? No, they were not family or friends. Just regular island citizens. You were always known to blow things out of proportion for attention. It's just you. Can't change you. Regardless this is a dead subject as those times are over. No need to beat up a dead horse.
I know nothing about the 510 or whatever area you are speaking about. Maybe it was a fluke if anything. I knowof manhattan park and you raising a stink over there and near the post office.
I never worked for gurrera, I worked for mr.jim fry. That man would never give you the time of day. Hence why you were a crab and had no ammo. Mr guerra fault was taking to you and allowing a communication with you.
Of course sector R is safe! It's Roosevelt island and there are factories and a power plant attached to it! There are no large buildings in queens. Small 2-4 family homes.
Let's see who is a better cop. Me,who has several hundred arrests, am on track to becoming a NYC detective, or you, a keyboard specialist with absolutely no police experience?.
Gentlemen (assuming you are male) KTG & Yet: Please assemble your evidence pro and con and discuss. KTG says the school doesn't measure up from the 4th grade and up. That is bad news. Aren't there standardized tests that measure how pupils from 217 measure up vs other schools? Maybe things have improved at 217 over the years, but the impression is the buses on Main St every day are there because of the problems at 217. Or maybe I'm wrong. As I said above, please discuss.
I am a wimp? I want to see you move a group of people along alone. I want you to fill my shoes for a day and call me a wimp. It's very easy to Monday morning quarterback things from the protection of your oversized apartment with no one else in it.
It is Hillarious to read you act like you really know how policing is done and how the nypd operates. You have no first hand knowledge.
I am known and I know Rick and we met a couple times at events. I want you to come to me and call me a wimp in person. You never will. You have no balls to confront anything. I know this personally. I know you frank. We all know you. We know you are gutless and have been castrated. This is fact and the truth. I am in no way saying we will fight, as I will not. That battle will be way too short and a waste of time. This is why you go around acting like a Roosevelt island hero. You use to get picked on as a youngster on this island. Fact. Told to me by many island residents.
Another fact is not many people enjoy your presence. I am not speaking about RIOC people or any affiliates. I am talking about your peers, your neighbors, your fellow islanders.
Also, shouldn't you be in a studio or a 1br apartment? Why not give that big empty apartment up to someone else who needs it.
"... oversized apartment with no one else in it."
Ouch!
Not: You still haven't rebutted his remark, which is that only a wimp would object to, or be shaken up by, photographs.
Why were you so afraid or annoyed at being photographed? What did you have to hide?
You seem defensive about the PSD parking ticket corruption scandal uncovered by Frank in '07. Let me guess why: There were payoffs, right? That you know about, and of course, since many (if not most) NYPD are on the take, you have continued to supplement the salary you are vociferous about complaining about.
So you conceal your identity because you were involved in the parking ticket corruption "system". And now, you're still accepting payoffs - probably from a variety of businesses that pay you to look the other way when trucks double-park, or what have you. It happens every day so why shouldn't you have a piece of those tasty tax-free payoffs, is what you think.
Don't try to divert the readers' attention from the fact that you got very defensive when the discussion turned to the parking ticket corruption scandal on RI.
Frank is a "target of convenience" for you since he broke the story and got the cozy little "system" RIOC-PSD had going for them dismantled. (Needless to say, going after the messenger, the "easy target" is also consistent with being a wimp.)
But what about you, Not? Hmm? Why are you still so defensive about police corruption? Are you, even today, a crooked cop?
Corruption and pay offs? Are you insane? This is just insane. I am speechless. This idiotic reply requires no further comment or reply. You are a real kazoo.
Really? Then why all the complaints about low pay at PSD? And why the defensiveness about being photographed looking the other way at phony placards?
Weren't you all on the take from the guys who displayed those placards? And aren't you still on the take - what's it called? the shakedown? - now?
You were a crooked PSO then and you're a crooked cop now, aren't you, Not! Admit it: You reacted the way you did to the parking ticket scandal because you lost a nice "extra" revenue stream when that little "system" was shut down. You still haven't gotten over losing the tasty tid-bits that were being thrown your way, even if there are now plenty of kick-backs and bribes you accept, maybe on a daily basis.
You're a crooked cop who can't stand a crusader for fair play and justice. It's a good thing you don't reveal your identity since you know you'd be immediately fingered.
Don't deny it, Not - you were on the take then, and you're still on the take now. That's why you hate Frank, or anybody else for that matter, who may pull the plug on your lucrative little money-making shakedown schemes.
In the end, it's always all about the money for you guys, the "finest", isn't it?
First to be clear there are a lot of really good things about 217 it was a tough decision for us. Most 217 parents I talked to are satisfied if not happy but they were all lower grades
In additions to test scores I also read parents saying they felt administration was listening on things like bullying and direction, but that was more off of chat boards than hard facts.
I think schools needs more private funding than public remember city allocates per pupil. I think cornell and related can play a big role
Comparative scores I am using come from DOE & insideschools.org who publish schools reviews and a grade score for every school in NYC system including results of standardized test.
http://schools.nyc.gov/OA/SchoolReports/2011-12/Progress_Report_Overview_2012_EMS_M217.pdf
http://insideschools.org/component/schools/school/58
NotMyKid: I'm happy to call you a wimp to your face. You're a wimp with your LAME arguments. Let's see: you complain about photos, you complain about apartment size, you complain about your job, you boast your a tough guy. Guys who are secure about themselves and their profession don't need to make lame challenges like you do. You haven't figured it out, but the rest of us have figured it out while reading your posts: you're insecure. As you've pointed out, when you have a gun, you're feeling your power. How lame.
But you show the lameness of the PSD attitude which causes the abuse. You (incorrectly) believe that "[I used] to get picked on as a youngster on this island. Fact. Told to me by many Island residents." Now, aside from your having the facts completely wrong and no such thing existed, you feel all powerful and ready to challenge someone (who you believe) was traumatized by getting picked on as a kid. Boy you're really brave. (not!) You don't see how lame your thinking is? That's the PSD mentality of picking on the weak, you've explained it so nicely for everyone to see how a PSD officer thinks. Way to go!
But it's unlikely we'll meet, because you know I'll call you a wimp to your face, and you know it will be true. Just like your wimpy challenge. Just like your wimpy anonymous blog posts. Since you know Rick, why not ask Rick to videotape me calling you a wimp?
This is really a lot of fun. BUT: We don't know who robbed what or who shot who, there seems to be no changes to PSD/NYPD, and there seems to be no reason to believe the crime situation on the island will improve. Shall we go back to the name calling, or discuss what needs to happen and how?
I'm generally not into this blogging thing - first time out, and thought it might be more productive...
Open to any suggestions you may have on being more productive.
That's really not fair to the Officer or NYPD.
The NYPD is probably the best best police force in the county and should not be diminished because there are a few bad apples as there are in every organization.
The Officer has provided a great deal of valuable information about PSD and NYPD and it is appreciated.
There was a time when access to RI was screened and the times were quiet. Now, everybody and anybody can come to RI and do their trick (b&e, drugs, shootings...) knowing well that PSD is unarmed and rather soft. We, as residents, have become prisoners: I, for one, do not enjoy the RI outdoors as much as 28 yrs ago. How come we, residents, can't find a bbq grill and table available at the N end of RI because all are taken by people off island? I know who's who, remember, I've lived here 28 yrs. Does Main Street really think off islanders buy their food & drink on RI? Hilarious. How come a large (very large, indeed) number of people gets to create a dangerous situation in front of the deli? Who are these people? Residents? I think not.
We live on an apparently quiet island but: break-ins, drugs, shootings, gangs, beatings, robberies?
A sustained NYPD presence is required, like in (sorry!) any other dangerous neighborhood.
And, no, hanging out "Main Street style" (in front of entrances, wearing low pants, no shirts, using foul language and - let's face it - in many cases, peddling illegal substances) is not OK.
with you 100%. And in response to RooseveltIslander - It sounds like we all want NYPD - how/who/when/where do we press for that?
I don't believe it is true that all residents want NYPD to replace Public Safety on Roosevelt Island.
In fact, that is a current subject of heated debate within the RIRA Public Safety Committee whether to advocate for RIOC to have NYPD take over from Public Safety.
Here's email address for the RIOC Directors.
directors@rioc.ny.gov
That's a great suggestion - I've been generally unfamiliar with the pecking order on the island... Ms. McCormick and others with the same interest may want to do the same.
I wish wheni was a PSO, we were allowed to screen everyone that is off island and has no "r.i. Pass".
Unfortunently, it's not off islanders anymore.
I came to the island last 4th of July in an off duty capacity to help out in a non enforcement capacity. I was basically there as a just in case someone shoots an officer or someone else. At least i had a firearm and can act. Simply because I was armed and scared something like this shooting was going to happen.
My observation? There were plenty of Roosevelt island youngsters from when I was there, being the
next generation of trouble makers.
Thank you Rick. I have an impeccable record and the above comment by the poster was uncalled for. That theory is insane. Not one psd officer has ever been involved in any parking conspiracy. It was simple courtesy that was blown up out of proportion. You know this and I know this.
I appreciate your backing.
You need to take off your imaginary superhero tighty witeys and get a life of some sort. Really, you do. My blog posts may be anonymous but I have been there, done that.
I never said a gun gives one power. That's insane. I was without a gun for many many years prior to joining the nypd, what does that have to do with anything. Is that your belief? Your opinion? That's ok if it is but it's far from fact. I grew up in queens and it wasn't exactly a cupcake childhood or neighborhood. I survived just fine with no gun.
What is a gun? A gun is a defensive tool and a law enforcement device. That's it. I don't know if you realize but a firearm is deadly physical force. Who walks around in a sane law biding capacity carrying a gun hoping to shoot someone. Not me. So therefor it gives me no added power. Same way if a group of 5 on a corner would call me names and offer a fight, I would walk away the same way with a gun or without.
Stop assuming things.
You are absolutely correct.
You guys, meaning the community need to communicate with your psd director. He shouldn't be only speaking at board meetings. It's a waste of time. He is usually last and whatever is said at the meeting, it does not necessarily get out to the public. I think a public safety forum should be setup, maybe every quarter at the chapel.
I worked for mr.jim fry when he was the director. We were going to implement a crime prevention officer. What was going to be this officers job? He would be a liaison to crime victims and their neighbors. People would be allowd to make appointments with this officers for pointers and direction on how to be more safe. For example, how to secure your windows properly while you are on vacation, as well as your door. He would help you detect weaknesses in your security and safety. He/she was not going to be a martial arts expert of defense instructor, but the officer would give you basic pointers. The officer was also going to have to hold a weekly crime report with the chief and make a report to RIOC for any improvements. Example if someone gets robbed on the seawall one week and two months later it happens again, the officer can make recommendations for perhaps extra lighting to RIOC.
Sadly mr.fry became ill
Also, you won't probably hear anything about the burglary unless a positive hit comes back. A hit on what, well, I would rather not say. I have no working or direct knowledge about it but you can hear something in a couple days, maybe in a couple of months. As fun as watching NCIS and CSI might be on t.v., it is far fetched from real world. Trust me.
Rick, please follow my other few posts for basic suggestions. My one big suggestion and an honest one is to not get the RIRA public safety committee involved. Please excuse the frank posting, that's my last one. I have no reason for any further uncivilized communication.
Not: What you call simple courtesy wasn't exactly that if it meant most of the spots were occupied day in and day out. If the people you were extending "courtesy" to wanted long-term parking, there is a place for that: Motorgate parking structure.
You guys, all of you RIOC-PSD guys that looked the other way and didn't enforce the law, were wrong. And every NYPD that's on the pad to look the other way, is wrong.
If you are for the law, against favoritism, against honoring the phony placards and "courtesy" for guys that were abusing the practice to get long-term parking on Main St, then you'll set aside your cowardly antipathy to Frank and applaud his successful effort in '07.
But you can't do that - since that would mean he was right then and you can't admit you were wrong in not writing those tickets.
Rick: Officer NotMyKid instead of applauding Frank's effort, seems to stand up for the "system" as it existed. He also whined about the meager pay he received as a PSD - I think that pay was about right for a Peace Officer.
As far as the pad (regular bribes) is concerned, it's a well-known fact that many in l/e sadly "supplement" their income just this way, very often by looking the other way regarding illegal parking.
Let NotMyKid deny the widespread existence of the pad. He is of course blameless and a clean cop as far as he is concerned. But was he blameless when he was "extending courtesy" to those that were abusing the privilege? He refuses to admit he was wrong in doing so.
Officer NotMyKid: You're a public employee and you're not above the law. If you have nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, then you should never have been "upset" about being photographed. You were only "upset" because you were extending courtesy when you shouldn't have, and you knew it. So Frank caught you red-handed looking the other way and now you hate Frank. Why don't you admit you were wrong, Frank was right, and applaud his successful effort?
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