When You Gotta Go, Now You Can - Portable Toilets Available At The Roosevelt Island Octagon Tennis Court To The Relief Of Young And Older Players

Roosevelt Island resident Janet Falk has been trying to  get the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to install bathroom facilities near the Octagon Tennis Courts for at least 2 years.

To the relief of Roosevelt Island tennis players, portable toilets 

were available

at the Octagon Tennis Court today. 

Sometimes you just gotta go during a match

and now you can at the Roosevelt Island Octagon Tennis Courts.

Watch Video Of July 25 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Community Engagement Meeting - PSD Chief Kevin Brown Emphasizes Roosevelt Island Is Safest Community In NYC But We Are Part Of NYC And Have Issues That Need To Be Addressed

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) hosted a  community engagement meeting last Tuesday, July 25 at the Good Shepherd Chapel with approximately 35 people attendng.

Because the July meeting was held so late in the month, there will be no PSD meeting in August — the next meeting will be on September 5th at 6 PM.

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) July 27, 2023

PSD Chief Kevin Brown began the meeting by saying Roosevelt Island:

... remains ... the safest community in New York City. However,... We are part of NYC and there are some issues we have on Roosevelt Island. ... We give a thousand percent effort into making sure we address any issues that come up....

Among the issues discussed were:

• Mental health crisis - dealing with emotionally disturbed people,
• Recent assaults - 3 in June and a July sexual assault arrest made by PSD  in the subway (a male stuck his hands down the pants of a woman on the subway escalator),
• Public safety improvements at 460 Main Street with more PSD vertical patrols in the building and Social Services provided by Breaking Ground agency. (20 to 30 complaints per month have been reduced to 7 in June and 3 so far in July,
• Youth initiatives including 3 on 3 Basketball tournament with over 60 teens participating. Beginning of engagement with local youth including the 3 teens who have been involved in recent incidents,
  
• Island Wide security camera system fully integrated with NYPD ( helped find a missing 2 year old child this week),
• PSD Bike patrol and
  
• Unsafe traffic conditions including cars parked in crosswalk, bus stops and illegal U-turns. (Over 387 summons issued and 11 cars towed)
  

Here's video of the full 45 minute meeting.

Will have more on the PSD meeting at a later date.

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You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Mid Summer Hurricane Preparedness Zoom Webinar Presented By RIRA Community Emergency Committee July 27

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Community Emergency Committee Chair Frank Farance reports: 

Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 8-9 PM is the monthly RIRA Community Emergency Committee (CEC) emergency preparedness Zoom meeting covering MID-SUMMER HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, 

Photo from 2012 Hurricane Sandy Hitting Roosevelt Island

including recent flooding, storm preparedness, and *Recovery* preparedness (a new feature). 

Photo from 2012 Hurricane Sandy Hitting Roosevelt Island

Feel free to ask your questions, the WHOLE FAMILY is welcome. 

Photo from 2012 Hurricane Sandy Hitting Roosevelt Island

Zoom info: https://tinyurl.com/RIRACEC2023 
Zoom Meeting ID: 912 3049 8521
Passcode: 591680
Dial in: +1 929 205 6099

RIRA CEC provides monthly presentations to the community on the 4th Thursday at 8-9 PM each month, the URL is the same every month.

CBS New York has a May 25 report on the upcoming 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season.

You're Invited To A Special Night Of Jazz With Bruce Edwards And The Uptown Groove Band July 26 At The Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Garden Patio

The New York Public Library Roosevelt Island branch (504 Main Street) is hosting a free special night of jazz tomorrow evening at their outdoor garden patio with Bruce Edwards and the Uptown Groove Collective.

According to the NYPL Roosevelt Island branch:

Bruce Edwards & The Uptown Groove Band

Live at the Roosevelt Island Library - Wednesday, July 26, 2023 @ 6 PM

Guitarist/Composer Bruce Edwards was a member of Sun Ra's Arkestra from 1984-1992, traveling all over the planet and appearing on recordings such as "Sun Ra Sextet Live at the Village Vanguard", "Destination Unknown", "A Night in East Berlin" and more. In addition, he has performed and recorded with artists such as James Carter (CD: At the Crossroads) Gary Bartz, Charles Tolliver, Pharaoh Sanders, James Carter, and GE Smith and Lenny Pickett of the Saturday Night Live band, to name a few.

Called "a master of his instrument" by John Kelman (All About Jazz), he is also recognized by many he plays with as an inspiring and inventive accompanist, and fiery and creative soloist. Also an accomplished composer and producer for films and TV, Edwards won a Telly Award for his original music and sound design in 2006, as well as teaching guitar for Jazzmobile, The New School, and privately.

You're Invited To RIOC Roosevelt Island Public Safety Community Engagement Meeting July 25 - Will RIOC Remain Silent On Their Own Public Safety Blotter Report Of July 8 Sexual Assault Arrest?

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Our next Public Safety Department (PSD) Community Engagement Meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, July 25th at 6 PM at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Street).

Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone on the 25th! pic.twitter.com/gByrwPP0nt

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) July 18, 2023

Reported on Tuesday July 11:

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Blotter Reports Sexual Assault And Robbery Incidents Last Week - Also, Why Was Food Delivery Driver Arrested Last Night Asks A Resident?

On July 17, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes, Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown and Assistant Vice President of Communications Akeem Jamal: 

I am following up again on the July 11 and 13 emails below regarding PSD Blotter report of a sexual assault arrest and several recent robberies as well as an arrest of a food delivery driver witnessed by several residents. I have not received any response yet from RIOC to questions about these incidents.

These are all newsworthy issues of concern to the Roosevelt Island community.

Does RIOC have any comment on these incidents?

If not, why does RIOC refuse to comment?

Perhaps RIOC will provide an answer at the July 25 PSD Community Engagement meeting.

Here's video of the June 13 PSD Community Engagement meeting which was very informative addressing concerns of Roosevelt Island residents.

Roosevelt Island Bridge Closed To Traffic Last Night Blocking Access To And From Roosevelt Island Due To Motorcycle Collision With Car At 36th Ave Vernon B'lvd Intersection

For several hours last night beginning at about 8:50 PM until about 12:30 AM the Roosevelt Island Bridge was closed to traffic  

                                                                                                                    Photo Credit Alexandre Tolipan

blocking access to and from Roosevelt Island due to a traffic accident at the intersection of Vernon B'lvd and 36h Avenue in Long Island City.   

Traffic was backed up

                                                                                                           Photo Credit Alexandre Tolipan

on both sides of the Roosevelt Island Bridge.

According to a NYPD spokesperson, at about 8:30 PM last night, a car exiting the Roosevelt Island Bridge turning left on Vernon B'lvd was struck on the passenger side by a Motorcycle. The 48 year old male motorcyclist tumbled over the car onto the street and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The 21 year old male operator of the car remained at the scene. The NYPD investigation of this incident is ongoing. 

The incident was reported on social media last night.

We witnessed a fatal bike car crash at the signal of ROOSEVELT islandbridge. The bridge is still closed for traffic. @RIOCny pic.twitter.com/38UjKut7Ec

— Dr.Mariam Shaikh (@DrMariamShaikh1) July 23, 2023

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) sent out an email advisory at 12:48 AM this morning reporting:

The Roosevelt Island Bridge is now open due to the NYPD investigation being completed. Traffic is now allowed to come on and off Roosevelt Island. We thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.