Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Commends Public Safety Officer Cabassa For Helping Missing Elderly Man, Roosevelt Island Alert System, Halloween Parade, Fall For Arts & Sportspark Pool Maintenance

Silver Alert Image From NCMissingPersons

 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

Before addressing Fall for Arts and other upcoming Island projects, I would like to commend our Public Safety officers for a job well done. Last weekend, the Public Safety Department received a call from the Coler-Goldwater Hospital Police regarding a car that was driving erratically. Officer Cabassa responded to the call and flagged down the vehicle. After a few questions, it became clear that the elderly person inside was disoriented and in need of assistance. Based on the driver's confusion, Cabassa believed that this might be a missing persons case. After he relayed his suspicions to the NYPD, the agency confirmed that a Silver Alert (issued for missing vulnerable adults by NYC's emergency alert system, Notify NYC) had been put out for the driver.

Shortly after confirming the alert, Officer Cabassa contacted one of the driver's relatives to let him know that his missing family member was safe and would be coming home soon. He related the story of how his parent had left home the night before and had been driving for approximately twenty-four hours and traveled almost seventy miles before being stopped by Public Safety. The two were reunited at the hospital and returned home together. After a follow-up call, Cabassa reports that the elderly person is "doing much better" and is "in good spirits now." I thank these officers for their efforts and for their role in reuniting this family.

RIOC Advisories

The example above shows just how effective and indispensable electronic alerts, such as the Silver Alert that was issued for the missing woman, have become. If you have not already signed up for local community and emergency alerts through RIOC Advisories, I urge you to visit our website at rioc.ny.gov and subscribe today. Remember, if we can't reach you, we can't alert you.

RIOC is currently upgrading our current advisory system, allowing subscribers to select which categories of alerts they would like to receive and by methods such as phone, email or text message. These improvements are scheduled to be implemented during the month of November, so keep an eye out for announcements and instructions once the new system goes live.

Fall for Arts

The 2014 Fall for Arts Festival takes place today, Saturday October 11th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event kicks off at 10:45 a.m. at the Motorgate Garage bus turnaround, where iDig2Learn will present The Daffodil Project. As part of a citywide initiative, we invite you to come out and plant bulbs in memory of the victims of September 11th. The festival will continue with free art classes and musical performances at the RIVAA Gallery, live mural painting on the lawn south of Rivercross and at Southpoint Park, along with fantastic multicultural food choices, free art activities, entertainment and performers at Southpoint Park and the FDR Four Freedoms Park. For a full schedule of events, visit us online at rioc.ny.gov. We hope you'll come out and participate in the festivities!

Halloween

Roosevelt Island's annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza, presented by Urban American with support from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and the Roosevelt Island Youth Center, will take place on Saturday, October 25 beginning at 11 AM. The annual Parade begins at Blackwell Park and travels down Main Street, culminating in a community celebration at Capobianco Field. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved to P.S./I.S. 217. Every year, hundreds of Roosevelt Island families come out to watch and take part in this island tradition, showcasing their creative costumes, playing games and enjoying the holiday in a safe and fun way. We hope to see you there.

Sportspark Pool Maintenance

On Wednesday, October 15th, the Sportspark Pool will close after the morning Open Swim session at 10 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. On that day, the evening Open Swim session will be canceled. Over time, the surface of the pool is subjected to wear and tear. During this short closure, contractors will make any necessary repairs to the pool's interior to ensure it remains in good condition. The Pool will reopen according to its normal schedule on Thursday, October 16th at 6 a.m. Thank you for your patience while we conduct this necessary work.