Eyewitness Reports Man Exposes Himself In Front Of Children And Patrons At Roosevelt Island Nisi Restaurant This Evening

An eyewitness reports this evening that a:

man exposed himself in front of children and patrons at Nisi. The video is the end of him peeing by the church

Image Is Screenshot From Video

One patron walked over to PSD office to report the incident, but PSD did nothing. Then the man went over to the bench by the bell and went to sleep.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes and Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown for more info. Mr Haynes replied:

I am getting debriefed on the matter but the Chief will provide an update after all of the information is gathered.

UPDATE 9 PM - According to RIOC Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown:

There was a homeless man who was picking up food at Nisi restaurant. He left the front of the restaurant and went to back of Nisi and urinated. PSD was alerted to what transpired and responded to the scene. He was allowed to take his food and escorted out of the area. The male was not issued a summons because a violation must be observed in the officers presence.

UPDATE 9:15 PM - I asked Chief Brown:

Does RIOC have any procedure for helping homeless people on Roosevelt Island? Shelter, getting something to eat, going to the bathroom?

Chief Brown replied:

PSD has be quite busy with limiting the homeless population from setting up an encampment on the island. This is a problem city wide and when the subway stops running wherever any homeless are is where they have to stay. PSD has set up to escort the homeless to the nearest shelter whenever possible or offer medical attention if that appropriate.

UPDATE 9:20 PM - Another eyewitness adds:

I was there, my daughters were there on their scooters.

I had him on my left, my friend and husband were facing him.

We had to stop the gils and send them to scoot behind the church. They couldnt even scoot around the church cause there was another homeless passed out between the church and Rivercross.

And obviously PSD did nothing, and sent 3 female officers to talk to him but did absolutely nothing!

There were families around, teens and kids in bicycles right there and public safety did NOTHING! PSD just doesn't care about this continuous incidents by ri residents and homeless.

Roosevelt Island Labor Day Weekend Guidance From RIOC - Wear Face Coverings, Maintain Social Distancing, Transportation Options, Playgrounds, Fields, Basketball, Soccer & Cooking Grills Open, Avoid Congregating In Large Groups, PSD Will Be Patrolling Island

As Labor Day weekend approaches, remember COVID won’t take a holiday.

Wear a mask. Be smart. Plan well.

Let's look out for one another.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) September 3, 2020

Have a safe Labor Day weekend, New York City!

😷 Wear your face mask
🚰 Wash your hands
🙂 ↔️ 🙂 Six feet apart pic.twitter.com/mB2DI0qPWC

— City of New York (@nycgov) September 4, 2020

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

As we continue in Phase 4 of New York Forward, we urge all residents and visitors to follow social distancing protocols to reduce the transmission of the virus. Kindly continue to wear face masks/coverings, avoid large in-person gatherings in excess of the social gathering restrictions that are currently in effect, and take the additional necessary precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, which is consistent with the guidance of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders.

Below is an update on weekend transportation changes, openings, and closures of RIOC-controlled facilities:

Transportation:

Tram - Will run on a weekday schedule with both Trams operating and adhering to social distancing with 20 passengers per Tram cabin. There will be no Tram Shuttle Bus. See schedule info at: rioc.ny.gov/302

Red Bus - Will run on weekday schedule. There will be no Octagon express bus. See schedule at rioc.ny.gov/368

MTA Service – All New York City buses are resumed requiring payment as of August 31st, 2020. For info, go to new.mta.info

NYC Ferry Service - Go to ferry.nyc

Open Areas:

Comfort Stations at Lighthouse Park and Southpoint Park
Outdoor Tennis Courts – reservation system here.
All public playgrounds
All Fields are open
Basketball hoops and soccer goals are available for use
All public cooking areas (grills)

New York City is currently in Phase 4 of New York Forward. For more information on sports and New York Forward, please click here.

RIOC asks that all park goers take extra precautions to stay healthy and safe and keep adhering to social distancing and mask/face covering guidelines. Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when outside and avoid congregating in large groups. For more information, please click here

Closed Areas:

Sportspark

In addition, the Public Safety Department (PSD) will be patrolling the island, with extra patrols focusing on recreation and transportation areas. PSD officers will be handing out masks at outdoor locations.

Have a safe and healthy holiday weekend.

Haki Compost Collective Helps Bring Weekly Food Scrap Drop Off Site Back To Roosevelt Island Starting Saturday September 12 Next To Farmers Market - Would You Like To Help Volunteer?

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Grow NYC Food Scrap Drop Off Compost Collection Bin program  has been suspended since last March 28 due to NYC Coronavirus Pandemic budget cuts.

But today, we learned some exciting news for Roosevelt Island Food Scrap Composters.  According to Danika Lam of the Roosevelt Island Haki Compost Collective:

Composting returns to Roosevelt Island with the reopening of the weekly food scrap drop-off site (FSDO) starting Saturday, September 12 from 9am–2pm, at its summer location adjacent to the farmers market near the yellow vents. Grab your kitchen scraps and a mask and come on down! Social distancing measures will be observed.

This composting initiative is made possible by our friends at Big Reuse, RIOC, and community volunteers like you. To help ensure the continued success of this program, we encourage you to join us in the newly-created Haki Compost Collective to assist with future collection and outreach. Express your interest in volunteering by filling out our interest form at:

• bit.ly/RIcompost or 
• emailing us at info@hakicompost.org. 

Follow us on Instagram @hakicompost for updates.

Ms Lam, the former Roosevelt Island Grow NYC Compost Coordinator, adds:

Over the last several months, a few of your dedicated neighbors and I have been hard at work figuring out how a sustainably-minded community like ours could keep up with composting. Recognizing that success could only come from a collaboration of the community, we decided to start Haki Compost Collective, an informal group of Roosevelt Islanders active in supporting compost initiatives...

Haki, in Lenape, means Earth as well as dirt, ground, and land. This name was given to us by the Lenape Center, who supports our stewardship of this land. You can learn more about the Lenape Center at thelenapecenter.com.

If you're interested in volunteering with the Roosevelt Island Haki Compost Collective, please click here and fill out form.

Stay tuned for more info next week and start getting your Food Scraps ready to drop off next Saturday, September 12 at the Roosevelt Island Haki Compost Collective next to the Farmers Market by the Yellow Vents.

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend - F & E Train Service To And From Manhattan, 20 Tram Passenger Social Distancing Limit Enforced, Ferry Route Extended To UES And Citibike Too - Wear Your Masks To Travel Safely For You And Others

According to the MTA, there is Roosevelt Island F Train Service to and from Manhattan this weekend. Also, Roosevelt Island E Train service to an from Manhattan.

Keep your nose and mouth covered while riding with us. You're helping stop the spread, and taking care of your fellow riders. pic.twitter.com/aWQpmRzA7c

— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. Fill out the Census. (@NYCTSubway) September 3, 2020

"The MTA is in a free fall. The only way to stop it is congressional action, and time is running out."

Our CEO Patrick Foye teamed up with @transportworker President John Samuelsen to write this op-ed. It’s worth your time.#SaveTransithttps://t.co/A3CVcxUjRY

— MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) September 1, 2020

We think OMNY looks especially sharp in F Train orange 😎 https://t.co/vIYSDBrbxA

— MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) September 1, 2020

There is a Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin 20 passenger Covid-19 Social Distancing limit.

According to this Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Labor Day Advisory:

... Tram - Will run on a weekday schedule with both Trams operating and adhering to social distancing with 20 passengers per Tram cabin. There will be no Tram Shuttle Bus. See schedule info at: [rioc.ny.gov/302]

Red Bus - Will run on weekday schedule. There will be no Octagon express bus. See schedule at [rioc.ny.gov/368]

Here's the NYC Ferry Roosevelt Island Astoria Route Schedule which now extends to East 90th street on the Upper East Side.

Also, Roosevelt Island has a new transportation option with the recent addition of Citbike docking stations.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket September 4 - 10 Labor Day Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Online Shopping, Delivery Options, Digital Coupons & Social Media Facebook And Instagram Too

The Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket

invites you to check out their September 4 - September 10 Weekly Flyer for Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items



Click here to visit the Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket web site for online shopping, delivery options, digital coupons, weekly flyer and more.

Follow Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket on Facebook

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Metal Grating Surface Unsafe, Like Riding On Industrial Cheese Grater Says Resident - NYC Department Of Transportation Reviewing Since 2011 And Still No Action 9 Years Later

Reported way back in 2014:

Safety for bicyclists on the Roosevelt Island Bridge has been an ongoing issue. As reported back in August 2011:

... I'm a Roosevelt Island resident. I'm also an avid bicyclist -- and I have a suggestion. It's great that a lane is set aside for cyclists crossing the bridge into Queens. But it would be helpful if the bridge's metal grill were covered by some sort of mat. You may not be aware of this, but -- when it rains -- metal-grill bridges are like sheets of ice if you're a cyclist, especially if you're on a road bike with thin tires. I was reminded of this on Sunday: My son and I were crossing the bridge on our bicycles early on Sunday morning, after the rain had stopped, and as soon as we hit the metal grill, we both started sliding. We immediately got off our bikes and walked them across....

and the twitterverse cautions:

I hate riding my bike to roosevelt island simply because i feel like ima slip and die on that metal bridge
— keyser söze (@JayPaperStaxX) June 19, 2013

In 2011 a Roosevelt Island resident received this response from a DOT spokesperson regarding bike safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge:

Thank you for your email regarding the improvement of bike mobility and safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge. We have forwarded your message to the appropriate unit in DOT Bridges for review. We will provide you with their determination...

It's now 2020 and Roosevelt Island bicycle riders are still waiting for NYC Department Of Transportation (DOT) to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge gratings safe.

Roosevelt Island resident and bike rider Paul Krikler reported recently about riding his bicycle on the Roosevelt Island Bridge:

It’s like riding over a an industrial cheese grater.



I'm  looking to see if there are other people who ride their bike across Roosevelt Island Bridge and who would like to see a much-improved road surface in the bike lanes.

“I have been coming to Roosevelt Island on an off over the years and now live here. I love how it is so bike friendly and safe. I love that my kids can cycle around in almost total safety. We also have some excellent cycle paths just across in Queens but getting there can be very unpleasant and dangerous.

The metal grille surface on the bridge is fine for cars but the metal grille makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride across on a bike. Further, in wet and / or cold conditions, the surface becomes very treacherous to cycle across and becomes extremely slippery. I have seen people slide over and fall.

Read more »

Traditional Mexican Style Tacos Made Fresh To Order This Week Thru Friday At Roosevelt Island Cafe @ Cornell Tech - Yum, Relax On The Outdoor Patio With A Brew, Wine, Coffee Or Fruit Smoothie Too

It's Taco Tuesday all week thru Friday at Roosevelt Island's Cafe @Cornell Tech. According to the Cafe @Cornell Tech Instagram Post

... Come by for your a traditional Mexican style taco made fresh to order! Available until 7pm today through Friday.

View this post on Instagram

It’s Taco Tuesday all week at The Cafe! Come by for your a traditional Mexican style taco made fresh to order! Available until 7pm today through Friday. #tacotuesday #thecafeatct #cornelltech #rooseveltisland #chicken #pork #vegetarian

A post shared by The Cafe @ Cornell Tech (@thecafe_cornelltech) on Sep 1, 2020 at 9:49am PDT

The Cafe @Cornell Tech outdoor patio


is a great place to sit, relax and enjoy a delicious meal, fruit smoothie, beer, wine or coffee.

More info at the Cafe web site.

Roosevelt Island Residents Ask Where Are RIOC Senior Managers & Supervisors - Acting President Haynes Responds Saying RIOC Following NY State Pandemic Guidelines And Outlines Operations During Coronavirus Shutdown

Some residents have been asking when will the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) return to full staffing as the NY State Covid-19 re-start continues.

One of those residents is Judy Berdy, the President of Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) and community activist. Ms Berdy reports:

To our long lost staff from RIOC:

Where, oh where are the bosses?

It is rare to see any managers at RIOC. Tram Manager Armando and Bus Czar Cy are exempt from this inquiry, because they have been here all or most of the time.

The Tram, Public Safety, Grounds, Maintenance, Bus Drivers and service workers are here what seems to be 100% of the time.

Where are RIOC's Island-based supervisors & managers?

Looks like they are Ducking & Covering from home. It has been almost 6 months since we had serious on-site management.

The 50% rule is being over-used as an excuse to stay away. The RIOC offices are large and spread apart. It is time for all the managers, supervisors, lawyers, financial staff, community relations, and all the rest to come back to work safely on-site here on Roosevelt Island. Many folks are still trying to figure out how Public Safety can be effectively run from home?

Many of our the Island's workers are essential, but some of the superiors are not, so maybe we have too many bosses? How can we miss you and see the great work if you are not here?

I am at Coler frequently, The staff is there, serving their community with great dedication. They are essential, must be there and have been there the entire time. There is no working from home for hospital workers.

If you have a valid reason, then stay home and enjoy teaching your kids their schoolwork!!! Otherwise, please show up.

I asked RIOC Acting President Shelton Haynes if he wished to reply. According to Mr. Haynes:

First, I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond. As for Judy’s post, I would like to provide some clarity, as her comments regarding RIOC staff are inaccurate.

Due to the current Pandemic, RIOC has taken lead in prioritizing the health and safety of our staff, ensuring that we provide safe working spaces for everyone. Under the Governor’s New York Forward guidelines, and with the exception of essential employees, Corporations such as RIOC, are advised to perform at a 50% capacity to align with the safety standards. This has significantly decreased our 136 staff to 86 staff working onsite. We have met and exceeded every target under the New York Forward guidelines, doing more with less, limiting spending and working with staff vacancies due to the mandated statewide hiring freeze for state agencies. In compliance with NY Forward, Plexiglas partitions have been installed and retrofitted at all workstations in all RIOC offices.

I would also like to shed some light on our overall operations since the beginning of NY on PAUSE:

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Safest Neighborhood In NYC Says NYPD Neighborhood Coordination Officers At Last Thursday's Build The Block Meeting - Watch Video Of Residents Discussing Community Quality Of Life And Crime Issues

Last Thursday, August 27, NYPD 114 Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers Joseph Espositio and Keith Mathes hosted a Build The Block meeting at Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Chapel. The purpose of the meeting was to hear the concerns of the community regarding quality of life issues and crime.

In reply to the first question raised by a resident, Officer Mathes said, Roosevelt Island:

... is the safest place in NYC...

Another Roosevelt Island resident responded

... We brag about to our friends who don't live here, it's the safest part of NYC.

View this post on Instagram

Roosevelt Island is the safest neighborhood in NYC says NYPD Officers at Block by Block meeting tonight.

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Aug 27, 2020 at 5:09pm PDT

Here's video of the full NYPD 114 precinct Build The Block meeting including issues regarding:

• Bike safety,
• Motorgate Parking,
• U turns on Main Street
• Drug usage and loitering on Promenade behind Roosevelt Landings and
• more.

Watch video of the full meeting.



Here's email for NYPD 114 Precinct Officer Esposito and Officer Mathes

Sponsored Post - Atlantic Hurricane Season Is Here, NYC Emergency Management Department Wants You To Know Your Hurricane Zone, Be Ready And Be Prepared - Roosevelt Island Is Zone 2 & 3

The Atlantic Hurricane Season began June 1 and lasts thru November 30.

New Yorkers - Atlantic Hurricane season lasts until November 30. Do you know your zone? Visit https://t.co/uGtZlj4rP8 or call 311 to find out what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC. Follow @nycemergencymgt to learn more. #knowyourzone pic.twitter.com/FGPLlciByJ

— FDNY (@FDNY) July 29, 2020

The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) wants you to be prepared for Hurricane Season



and Know Your Zone.



According to NYCEM:

There are six hurricane evacuation zones, ranked by the risk of storm surge impact, with zone 1 being the most likely to flood. In the event of a hurricane or tropical storm, residents in these zones may be ordered to evacuate.

Roosevelt Island is located in two zones - Zones 2 and 3.

All but one of the Roosevelt Island residential building and the Cornell Tech campus are located in Zone 3. The NYCEM Know Your Hurricane Zone Map below shows Zone 2 in cream color and Zone 3 in yellow.

  Screenshot From NYCEM Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder

The Octagon Building, Coler Hospital, Lighthouse Park and FDR Park are located in Zone 2.

 Screenshot From NYCEM Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder

In the event Roosevelt Island needs to be evacuated, NYCEM reports:

If you are required to evacuate, it is recommended that you shelter at the home of friends or family outside of the evacuation area. If you wish to go to a public facility, select any evacuation center from the following list....

There are no evacuation sites on Roosevelt Island. The closest sites are listed below.

Screenshot From NYCEM Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder

Here's some scenes of what Roosevelt Island looked like during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012

 Westview Promenade Image Courtesy of Brian Dorfman

 Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park Under Water From Hurricane Sandy Via Kate Williams Tweet

and report on damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Brutal Sexual Assault Of Young Woman At Lexington Ave/63rd Street F & Q Subway Platform Yesterday Morning At 11 - Attacker Chased Away By Passengers, NYPD Arrests Suspect Today In Attempted Rape

The Lexington Ave/63rd Street F & Q subway station is often used by many Roosevelt Island residents traveling back and forth to Manhattan. At 11 AM yesterday morning, a young woman getting off the F Train was the victim of a brutal sexual assault on the platform before the attacker was scared away by other passengers.

The suspect was arrested today by NYPD.

According to the NYPD

ARRESTED: The suspect in this case has been apprehended and the investigation by @NYPDDetectives continues as we move forward to prosecution- We continue to encourage anyone with information on this or any other crime to contact @NYPDTips https://t.co/sytZngDeaS

— NYPD Transit (@NYPDTransit) August 30, 2020

According to NBC New York:

... Police allege Jose Reyes exited the same train as the victim at the aforementioned stop Saturday morning. It was there they say he grabbed the victim from behind, then threw her down and got on top of her....

And from WPIX:



AM New York adds:

“Some good Samaritans pulled out the cellphones to video his face, which was very informational,” the chief said. “A couple of them started screaming at him to get off her, which was helpful in scaring him away.”...

Granny Annie's Bar & Kitchen Hiring Servers & Bartenders For New Roosevelt Island Restaurant Opening Soon With Outdoor Seating Only For Now Due To Covid 19

As reported September 23, 2019:

... Granny Annie's Bar & Kitchen will be taking over the premises formerly occupied by the Riverwalk Bar & Grill, empty since 2018 Labor Day.

The husband and wife ownership team had hoped to open this past spring but the opening was delayed due to the Covid 19 shutdown.

After 2 years with no Roosevelt Island bar, it looks like our new Roosevelt Irish Bar is close to opening.

According to this Craigslist posting:

Looking for honest hard working servers/bartenders For new bar & kitchen on Roosevelt island . Persons must be willing to work on the floor and the bar . Full training will be provided to persons hired . Most be motivated dedicated and experienced in New York City bar/restaurants. Due to covid 19 we will be opening our outdoor seating for now .

Persons must be able to work in fast pace environment and be willing To be a team player .. this is an open call interview on Friday sept 4th between 11 am & 1 pm @ 425 Main Street Roosevelt island 10044 . Full time positions only available for now . Please bring your food certificate also

We Got Us An Irish Pub In The Pub GIF from Wegotusanirishpub GIFs