Roosevelt Island Residents Rally Last Sunday Alleging Public Safety Department Providing Fake Stats & Ignoring Public Lewdness Incidents - RIOC And RIRA PSC Respond Denying Allegations

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) came under criticism for allegedly:

• providing "fake" crime statistics, 
• responding slowly to a resident's assistance call for a public lewdness incident and 
• not taking additional public lewdness incidents seriously 

during a rally held last Sunday, February 18 in front of Roosevelt Landings at 510 Main Street.

The rally was organized by resident Joyce Short and attended by an estimated group of 10-14 people as well as off-Island media including NY 1.

Among the allegations made by Ms. Short at the rally:

... It's in RIOC best interest to show this community as being crime-less because that way Cornell can develop here, Related Hudson can develop here and they can attract people to the community by looking like we are a very safe place to live. The Public Safety Department, I'm not saying they're doing a terrible job, but they are not doing the job we need done in this community...

... They are not reporting these things as the crimes they are. The end results are the statistics don't give us the police protection we need because statistically we look like a very, very safe haven. We are not saying that we are loaded with crime here but we need more protection than we're getting. Don't tell us that we live in a safe place and don't ignore sex crimes that go on in this community....

I asked if any of the other residents attending the rally had personal experience with fudging statistics by PSD or any other problem with PSD.

One resident mentioned a suspicious Christmas Eve fire in her building that is unresolved, another indicated a belief that some residents are treated more leniently by PSD if they are known to the officers and another indicated safety concerns in the Roosevelt Landings building due to inadequate security such as unlocked doors and no front desk concierge.

Ms Short noted a recent incident when an assault case was classified as "aided".

Here is video of the Rally and statements by participants.



I asked Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem to comment on these allegations. Ms Feely-Nahem replied:

On Sunday, 2/18/2018 RIRA member Joyce Short held a public protest with about 10 people. The small action alleged a Public Safety Department (PSD) cover-up of a pattern of public lewdness, including public masturbation, as well as deficiencies in PSD handling in one specific case that occurred in 2017. There have been up to five reported cases over the past year that have been reviewed by PSD leadership and discussed with the RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC). Their review counters and challenges the idea that a widespread pattern of behavior or cover up by PSD leadership has occurred.

The PSC has engaged RIOC, and the leadership of the PSD, in discussion of this issue extensively, including with the survivor present. There were several regular PSC meetings where the issue of sexual harassment and lewd pubic behavior was vigorously engaged. Dialogue, although tense at times, was not only possible but productive. Solutions to errors were found and changes have been and are scheduled to be made.

Although numerous mistakes were made on all levels, the RIRA PSC does not support the allegation of a PSD cover-up, or a widespread pattern of such behavior on Roosevelt Island, from the documentation we have seen.

During discussions, the PSD Leadership acknowledged deficiencies in numerous areas, initiated by the miscommunication of the Officer who answered and logged the original request for service incorrectly. Chief McManus and Deputy Director Brown have showed a willingness in dialogue as errors were discovered, as well as an openness to find solutions and take corrective actions.

The PSC has urged RIOC and the PSD leadership that there be, in collaboration, a Town Hall meeting where Islanders are provided with the opportunity to discuss this question and will continue to present RIRA’s willingness to host such an event.

While we defend all Islanders’ right to protest any grievances, we also feel that the broad charges thrown out by Joyce Short need to be backed up by fact. The PSC would point to the example of the successful effort in 2013-2014, which she opposed, where the Keith Guerra Administration of PSD was removed after the PSC and the community documented, with facts and testimony, a genuine pattern of abuse and brutality. Joyce Short has not shared with the PSC any documentation that justifies her allegations and appears to be swinging blindly.

The PSC would invite residents who have experienced acts of public lewdness, reported, or not, to let me know. Your confidentiality will be respected. This shouldn’t happen to anyone, and we must, as a community, be able to safely take actions to stop it. If this is a larger problem then it appears to be from the reported cases, let us gather testimony and facts so we can bring it to the PSD leadership and find solutions.

In response to my inquiry, RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reports:

AN OPEN LETTER TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES and VISITORS

A recent public protest concerning the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD), its procedures for collecting crime reports and how it reports their statistics has generated questions requiring a response.

The allegations against PSD center around accusations of suppressing reports about public lewdness incidents on the Island.

On September 7, 2017, a resident called PSD to report a suspicious person masturbating in a 10th-floor hallway of the Roosevelt Landing housing complex. The complainant stood nearby and used her cellphone to take a four-minute video of the incident before the officers arrived. After interviewing the woman and canvassing the area, the alleged suspect could not be found.

In addition, once the video was turned over to PSD, and later to New York Police Department (NYPD) officers who also responded to the scene, it was not possible to identify the individual as there were no images of his face.

The subsequent report about the incident was filed as a suspicious person incident with a full description of the lewdness act of masturbation. The PSD computer report filing system did not include a lewdness category in its dropdown options at the time and accordingly, the incident was recorded as suspicious activity. That has since been corrected.

The PSD and RIOC spent more than 20 hours and attended a host of meetings with the victim, RI community-organization leaders and others discussing this incident, reviewing the video, discussing the dispatch call and response as well as a thorough review of all suspicious person reports since 2016.

Three other lewdness incidents were found to have been reported during that 24-month period. No suspects have been arrested in any the incidents, but per policies, PSD has submitted evidence to NYPD against a person of interest in one of the incidents.

Erin Feely-Nahem, chairwoman of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association’s Public Safety Committee and a participant in some of the previously-described discussions, recently said in a statement to The Roosevelt Islander news blog that she “does not support the allegation of a PSD cover-up or a widespread pattern” of (lewd) behavior on Roosevelt Island.

The PSD is committed to responding patiently and compassionately to all community concerns about this or any other incidents and is proud of its efforts to keep the community the safest place in the safest big city in America.

Ms Short adds:

NY One's report on yesterday's rally had several errors. More than a dozen people rallied to show their concerns about Roosevelt Island's public lewdness crimes and Public Safety's penchant for minimizing RIOC's crime statistics.

When one victim reported the crime and her concern that she may have been stalked, the female desk officer said, "Don't worry; it happens all the time." Two male officers expressed agreement. Yet when he was questioned about their comments, Chief McManus shook his head and said, "I don't know why the officer said that. It's not true. She shouldn't have said that."

In fact, four public lewdness incidents had been reported within a one year period. None of those four cases were recorded as Public Lewdness on the Public Safety blotter. One of the four victims said that when Chief McManus contacted her, he suggested she keep a lid on the information so as not to alarm the community. The fifth public lewdness crime took place the following month. It was the only one filed correctly because of the outrage demonstrated by members of the community.

Lt. Cabasso incorrectly characterized the same victim's behavior as "She refused NYPD and EMTs." On the night of the incident, PSD did not offer or suggest that she contact NYPD, nor did they contact NYPD themselves. The following day; however, when she returned to the PSD office to express concerns about having been stalked, they finally contacted NYPD. She waited 45 minutes for NYPD to arrive. EMTs came, not NYPD. She was not physically injured; therefore, she did not need the escort to the hospital that they offered. She had to get to work and could not wait any longer for NYPD. They finally came to her house three days after the incident.

Lt. Cabasso also adamantly insisted the victim had simply asked for an "escort,"instead of pleading for help during a sex crime. The victim did not even know that PSD provides "escort" services. What she said in her emergency phone call was "He has his penis in his hands and he's masturbating. Please help me!" Although the two responding officers were in 510 Main Street, and the crime was in progress right there in 540, just steps away, it took them 7 minutes to get to the victim. They casually strolled up to her with no urgency. She showed them the footage of the offender's actions caught on her camera while she crouched on the floor, paralyzed with fear. Her video clearly indicates the offender's actions. Never-the-less, PSD's report was filed as "request for service." It took several meetings with RIOC to convince them to change their report to Public Lewdness.

Today, rally participants demonstrated that the distance between 540 and 510 Main Street, is 19.5 seconds.

Lt. Wanda Koleman spoke with the victim on the morning she returned to the Public Safety Office. The victim expressed concern about PSD's slow response. In her description of the victim's behavior, Lt. Koleman tried to cover up their delay by stating that the victim refused to cooperate because the responding officers were female. When Chief McManus told me this, he also said that the two female Officers, under Lt. Koleman, corroborated Koleman's story.

I went back to the Public Safety Department with the victim to review the video of the lobbies, which, in fact, PSD only secured at the victim and my request. Because Chief McManus had told me the victim had not wanted to speak with female officers, I asked her, whether she wanted to request speaking to a male officer when we returned to see the footage. She looked at me puzzled and said, "No, I'd rather speak with a female officer. I think they'd be better at understanding how I feel." It was only then that I informed her about what Koleman and the two other officers claimed. She was astounded that they'd say such a thing and it totally destroyed her trust in the Public Safety Department. Cooperative duplicity about a victim's behavior puts every Roosevelt Islander at risk.

One of the public lewdness crimes took place in the Westview courtyard. PSD filed that report as "trespass." They apprehended the offender and got his name. He bolted. They have either not subsequently arrested him or have not disclosed his arrest to the community. We are entitled to know what measures are taken to insure our safety here.

I am aware through, a Commander at NYPD, and through a former PSD Officer, that the Public Safety Department under-reports crimes on Roosevelt Island. Enough is enough. We are growing in population. We need at least one police booth on Roosevelt Island, manned 24/7 by an Island-assigned NYPD officer. Stabbings, shootings, assaults, domestic violence, public lewdness and other crimes all have taken place multiple times on Roosevelt Island within the past year. They happen intermittently, and when they do, we need real and immediate police presence, not a response coming from somewhere in Queens.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal has said time after time that we don't need additional PSD staff, even though Cornell Tech will expand our population by 7,000 people and Related/Hudson is building two more buildings. In my discussion with her about the public lewdness problem, she showed me the crime statistics for the community in order to back up her claim. I indicated that if you can turn a "He's got his penis in his hands and he's masturbating," into a "request for service," I can't believe a single statistic on that report." The recent assault of a 16 year old girl on Main Street, that the PSD blotter reflects as "Aided," not "Assaulted," is another example of RIOC's continued interest in under reporting crimes stats in our community.

I filed a complaint with the Inspector General. I'm sure RIOC will do everything they can to get this case dismissed. A petition will be circulated here in the community. Please sign it.

It may be necessary to continue demonstrating in our streets until RIOC, The State of NY, and NYPD get the message; Roosevelt Island deserves appropriate police protection. Please come out and help when the next rally takes place.

As previously reported, the NYPD 114 precinct says Roosevelt Island is a very safe community.

Here's the January 2018 Roosevelt Island PSD Incident Report and Statistics.

The Daily Incident reports are published on Roosevelt Islander sidebar column.

RIOC Reports No Injuries During August 15 Roosevelt Island Unauthorized Distribution Of Written Materials Incident, More Info On July Blackwell Fountain Exposure Incident and July Public Safety Botter

 Image From RIOC

Reported August 19 on a Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department incident involving the:

08/15 - 1210 - 591 Main St. - Distribution Of Unauthorized Written Material - Condition Corrected

Comments on the incident from readers included:

Written material must now be authorized? Do we need to procure stamps for our documents from PSD to demonstrate that our writings have been approved?

and:

That's bizarre ... What could PSD possibly determine to be "unauthorized" written material? Seems like a great opportunity to request the full reports via FOIL.

and:

i suspect PSD isn't making determinations of what's "unauthorized" based on the content of the written material. my assumption is that the incident involved somebody trying to post a handbill or something on a tree, lamp post, or the like, which is generally prohibited. at a minimum, this shows the need for more transparent descriptions of violations in the police blotter when we're talking about violations of obscure administrative code provisions.

On August 16 I sent the following inquiry, with subsequent follow-ups to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra:

The 8/15 - 16 Public Safety Report indicates:

08/15 - 1210 - 591 Main St. - Distribution Of Unauthorized Written Material - Condition Corrected

What was being distributed and what does "distribution of unauthorized written material" mean?

Please provide additional details as to what occurred during this incident?

Thank you.

On August 30, received the following reply from RIOC's Press Spokesperson:

the incident took place on Wednesday, August 15 at 9:54 am in the 591 Courtyard, and there were no injuries.

No other response regarding the incident.

Also:

 On Wednesday, July 18, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

The 7/17 -18 daily Public Safety Report indicates:

Exposure of a Person - PSD arrested the subject

Please provide information as to where the incident occurred, what time of day, what were the ages of the subject and victim and any other information that the Roosevelt Island community should be made aware of regarding this incident.

Also, was this incident related to any of the previous Exposure incidents occurring on Roosevelt Island recently.

Thank you.

and received this response on July 20 from RIOC's Press Spokesperson:

With regard to the exposure of a person, the incident took place on 7/17/12 at 3:17 p.m. at 500 Main Street (Blackwell Park). No injuries there either.

RIOC's July Monthly Public Safety Blotter has some additional information regarding the Exposure Incident:

7/17/2012 500 Main St ARREST Male observed at fountain in his under clothes exposing his intimate area. Male was issued summons and released.

Below is the full RIOC Monthly Public Safety Blotter for July 2012. Other incidents include:

• 7/3/2012 540 Main St Female victim stated dog feces was found in front of her door as well as in the elevator. Maintenance on scene to correct the condition. Search of area for source yielded negative results.
• 7/22/2012 465 Main St NYPD, FDNY, OEM and DEP on scene for report of hazardous substance at  location after female found three deceased squirrels.  Female suggests these animals were poisoned.  Upon investigation no poison was detected.
• 7/16/2012 N/O 888 Main St Father of youth male involved in a dispute with female tennis instructor at location due to instructor yelling at youth for accidentally hitting her with a tennis racket.  Instructor was spoken to and both parties went their separate ways.
• 7/3/2012 1142 2nd Avenue Manhattan Tram Plaza Dispute between Tram employee and passenger over not paying the fare for her son.  Upon arrival to the RI side of the Tram the passenger swiped her metro card. 
• 7/5/2012 R/O 900 Main St Male observed using an unauthorized grill at location.  Male was advised of parks rules and regulations and complied without incident.
• 7/12/2012 400 Main St Male reporter advised unknown male subject shoved his wife on 7/11/12 but did not report it right away.  No injuries to report.  Reporter entered  PSD again stating he was waiting at location to see if he saw unknown male.  Reporter was advised to not take matters into his own hands.  Reporter left the location.
• 7/15/2012 540 Main St Report of female in laundry room of location with two dogs.  Upon arrival female was advised of regulations and female complied.
• 7/17/2012 888 Main St Flyer observed at location indicating a bbq to take place at Lighthouse Park.  Area to be monitored.
• 7/27/2012 900 Main St Report of unauthorized grill at location.  Upon investigation grill was
  authorized via permit for private party.  All in order.
• 7/5/2012 579 Main St ARREST  Male subject observed striking male victim in the face.  Subject was placed into custody, issued summons and released
• 7/1/2012 851 Main St ARREST  Dog observed unleashed at location.  Upon investigation dog did not have license.  Summonses issued.
• 7/14/2012 R/O 900 Main St Male was in possession of cooler filled with alcoholic beverages which are prohibited at location.  Alcohol contained inside cooler was confiscated and male was warned and admonished
• 7/19/2012 910 Main St ARREST  Two male subjects observed in vehicle unlawfully.  Subject #1 in possession of marijuana and an open container under the legal drinking age.  Subject #2 observed with open container under the legal drinking age.  Subject #1 taken into custody and transported to 114 Pct for arrest processing.  Subject #2 issued summons and released.  Owner of vehicle contacted and on scene to pick up vehicle.
• 7/22/2012 576 Main St ARREST  Report of unleashed dog at location.  Upon arrival dog was
  observed unleashed and without an owner.  Owner has been warned and admonished several times for the same incident.  Owner contacted and arrived at PSD to retrieve the dog.  Owner was issued summons
• 7/3/2012 400 Main St Report of two males being assaulted at location.  Both victims stated their cell phones were stolen and they struggled with the subjects but they fled the scene. Search of area for subjects yielded negative results.  NYPD notified.
• 7/5/2012 510 Main St NYPD on scene for report of burglary.  Victim states laptop computer,
  wallet, jewelry and various items of clothing were taken.  Apartment was in complete disarray.
• 7/11/2012 506 Main St Reporter advised upon arrival to location several gaming systems.  NYPD on scene for report.  Finger printing squad responded to lift finger prints as well.  No alarm system at location.  Other incidents of this nature has taken place in the past.
• 7/19/2012 546 Main St Reporter advised on 7/18/12 when he returned home his ipad and camera were missing.  Victim advised he only had the slam lock on the door.  No other items missing.  Neighboring tenant saw an unknown male at location.  No signs of forced entry or door tampered with.  Service to change locks.

The up to date Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety reports are included on Roosevelt Islander's sidebar column.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Daily Reports From August 10 To August 17 - Recovered Stolen Car, Distribution Of Unauthorized Writtten Material, Trespass, Animal Rescue, Noise Complaint & More

 Image From RIOC

Below are the daily Roosevelt Island Public Safety Reports for August 10 - 17. The Daily Public Safety Reports are also listed on the blog's sidebar.

8/16/12-7:00 AM to 8/17/12-7:00 AM

8/17/12 - 0209 - 580 Main St. - Aided - Refused Medical Attention.

8/17/12 - 0245 - 465 Main St. - Recovered Stolen Vehicle - NYPD notified.

8/17/12 - 0300 - 531 Main St. - Aided - Report generated for condition.

8/16/12 - 1300 - 625 Main St. - Aided - Report generated for condition.

8/16/12 - 1739 - 510 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital.

8/16/12 - 2030 - 686 Main St. - Trespass - PSD arrested male.

8/16/12 - 2200 - 579 Main St. - Found Property - Property secured at PSD.

8/16/12 - 2248 - 546 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital.

8/16/12 - 2300 - 591 Main Street - Open Container - Male arrested.

8/16/12 - 2350 - 455 Main Street - Verbal Dispute - Parties separated, area in order.


8/15/12-7:00 AM to 8/16/12-7:00 AM

08/15 - 1200 - 546 Main St. - Found Property - Property Secured At PSD

08/15 - 1210 - 591 Main St. - Distribution Of Unauthorized Written Material - Condition Corrected

08/15 -1410 - 546 Main St. - Water Leak - Condition Corrected

08/15 - 2100 - 540 Main St. - Debris - Condition Corrected

08/15 - 2139 - 888 Main St. - Harassment - PSD Responded No Injuries

08/15 - 2140 - 550 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital

08/15 - 2250 - 549 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital

08/15 - 0415 - 546 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital

08/15 - 0430 - 531 Main St. - Aided - Transported To Hospital


8/14/12-7:00 AM to 8/15/12-7:00 AM

8/14 - 1015 - 625 Main St - Possible Aided - Resident not home

8/14 - 1542 - 750 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/14 - 1804 - 556 Main St - Escort - Provided by PSD

8/14 - 2042 - 400-402 Main Street - Advertising - Referred to RIOC Permit Dept

8/14 - 2135 - 595 Main St - Possible Trespass - Friends of Resident

8/15 - 0615 - 531 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused/No Injuries

8/15 - 0658 - 1142 2nd Ave - Cameras Down - Referred to RIOC IT Dept


8/13/12-7:00 AM to 8/14/12-7:00 AM

8/13 - 1430 - Opp 888 Main St - Criminal Mischief- No Injuries

8/13 - 1435 - F/O 560 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/13 - 1700 - F/O 543 Main St - Past Harassment - NYPD Refused/ No injuries

8/13 - 1805 - F/O 546 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused/ No Injuries

8/13 - 1835 - 500 Main St - Possible Suspicious Male - RIOC Contractor

8/13 - 2015 - 4 River Rd - Aided - FDNY shut stove off- No injuries

8/13 - 2226 - 560 main St- Property Damage - Referred to UA

8/13 - 2250 - F/O 580 Main St - Complaint - Referred to RIOC Bus Manager

8/14 - 0400 - 4 River Rd - Aided - Runaway - NYPD picked up youth- No injuries

8/14 - 0454 - 531 Main St - Aided- NYPD Filed a report- No injuries

8/14 - 0630 - 405 Main St - Missing Youth - Youth returned-No injuries

8/14 - 0631 - 580 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/12/12-7:00 AM to 8/13/12-7:00 AM

8/12 - 1155 - 543 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused

8/12 - 1949 - 560 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused

8/12 - 2050 - F/O 551 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused

8/12 - 2244 - 688 Main St - Unsecured Vehicle - Vehicle Secured


8/11/12-7:00 AM to 8/12/12-7:00 AM

8/11 - 1140 - 560 Main St - Found Property - Secured in PSD

8/11 - 1155 - 563 Main St - Found Property - Secured in PSD

8/11 - 1247 - 688 Main St - Unsecured Vehicle - Condition Corrected

8/11 - 1410 - 900 Main St - Verbal Dispute - PSD corrected Condition

8/11 - 1418 - 688 Main St - Unsecured Vehicle - Monitoring

8/11 - 1439 - 520 Main St - Verbal Dispute - No Injuries

8/11 - 1839 - 543 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused/No Injuries

8/11 - 2140 - 560 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/11 - 2231 - S/O 1 Main St - Found Property - Secured in PSD

8/11 - 2236 - 556 Main St - Escort - Provided by PSD

8/11 - 2259 - 900 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/12 - 0255 - 510 Main St - Verbal Dispute - NYPD Report/No Injuries


8/10/12-7:00 AM to 8/11/12-7:00 AM

8/10 - 1430 - 250 Main St - Aided - Condition Corrected

8/10 - 1638 - 250 Main St - Aided - EMS Refused by Parent

8/10 - 1720 - 501 Main St - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/10 - 2155 - R/O 625 Main St - Animal Rescue - No Injuries

8/10 - 2210 - 4 River Rd - Aided - Removed to hospital

8/10 - 2250 - R/O 688 Main St - Bike Lock Cut - Per owner request

8/10 - 2256 - 405 Main St - Noise Complaint - PSD corrected condition

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Monthly blotters thru June 2012 are here and monthly statistics thru June 2012 here.

RIOC Changes 3 Year Old Policy On Release Of Daily Public Safety Report Information To Roosevelt Island Community- Senior Staff Needs To Review First, Why?

Image of Redacted Report From Ann Arbor Chronicle For Illustrative Purposes Only

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department has been including me on an email distribution list of it's Daily Public Safety Reports since January 2008 when I asked former RIOC President Steve Shane to do so and he agreed. Since that time I have been periodically posting these reports on this blog's main page and including the reports for the previous 7 days on the blog's sidebar.

Last week the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports stopped arriving in my email folder. I sent an email to Public Safety Director Keith Guerra about this but received no response. Last Friday, I ran into RIOC's Press Spokesperson at Starbucks, told her that I was not receiving the Public Safety Reports and asked her if she could look into the matter, which she agreed to do. Earlier today, I received this message from the RIOC Press Spokesperson:

I check{ed} on the email alerts you asked about.  It appears you got on an internal RIOC distribution list that was meant for senior RIOC employee only.  Your name has now been removed from that list.  You can still get information here : http://www.rioc.com/incidentreport.htm

Hope that helps,

I responded and copied RIOC President Leslie Torres, VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez as well as the RIOC Directors:

Why has my name been taken off the Daily Public Safety Report list? I have been receiving these daily public safety reports and posting on blog for over a year with the knowledge and permission of Senior RIOC staff since Steve Shane was RIOC President. It was not a mistake that I was on that list.

What has changed in RIOC policy between last week when I received the information and now?

RIOC's Press Spokesperson replied:

Your name was taken off the Daily Public Safety Report email list because this is an internal RIOC email for senior staff.  You can still get access to this information on RIOC's website at http://www.rioc.com/incidentreport.htm, so you can still post the information on the blog.

I replied:

That this is an internal RIOC email list does not answer the question as to why I was taken off the list since I was on the list since January 2008 with the knowledge and permission of RIOC senior staff. What has changed from the prior three years, including last week, to this week that requires my removal from this list.

The RIOC Incident Report web page that you link to is not a sufficient method of informing the Roosevelt Island public because it only lists the report for a single day and then is removed. If I happen to miss that particular day there is no way for me to access the information. Also, there are days when the Public Safety Incident Information is not put up on the site.

By including me in the emails, as has been the practice for over a year, I am able to provide the Roosevelt Island public with important Public Safety information on a timely, effective and efficient basis.

What, if anything, is now different with the content on the email list? I don't understand the rationale for removing me from a source of information that has served the Roosevelt Island public well for over three years.

Why would RIOC want that stopped?

RIOC's Press Spokesperson answered:

 I understand that you are unhappy about being taken of the list, but the Daily Public Safety Report email presents the first time senior staff at RIOC have to opportunity to see and discuss this information.  They need an opportunity to review this information before it goes public.

RIOC is willing to create an archive of incident reports, if that helps you.

This makes no sense at all and contributes to the perception that RIOC is hiding/filtering Public Safety information from the Roosevelt Island community. Why does the Senior Staff now need to review and discuss the daily Public Safety Reports prior to it's release when they had not been doing it for the last three years?

What is going on?

I was just about to press the publish button on this post when RIOC VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez spotted me at Starbucks and sat down for a conversation on this subject. Mr. Martinez emphasized that the purpose of having Senior RIOC staff review the Daily Public Safety Reports prior to releasing it to the community was so that he would know what is going on and be able to respond if questioned about a particular incident. Mr. Martinez promised that the Daily Public Safety Reports would not be censored and still be made available that same day - only a little later in the day on RIOC's web site where I can take the reports and publish on this blog.

After speaking with Mr. Martinez I understand his position better but still think there is no reason to add another layer of RIOC review prior to releasing the information to the public. If a resident asks him a question that he does not know the answer to, all he has to say is that I will get back to you on that when I have the answer as has been done for the last three years.

UPDATE 3/1 - I spoke with RIOC President Leslie Torres earlier today who promised to send me a separate email with the daily Public Safety Report after she or other RIOC senior staff members review it.

UPDATE 3/2 - Received today's Public Safety Report in separate email from RIOC and posted on sidebar, If this procedure is continued, should work out fine. It included same information as went to RIOC senior staff.

Burglary, Assault of a Cab Driver, Possesion of a Weapon, Gas Siphoning and Other Recent Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incidents

You Tube Video of Doink Doink from Law and Order

Here are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for September 23 - October 7 2008. Incidents included:

• Shoplifting (9/23, 24)
• 8 subjects arrested for open containers (9/23)
• Reckless Driving (9/23)
• Criminal Possession of a weapon (10/2)
• 2 subjects arrested for Burglary/Assault/Robbery (9/30)
• Taxi Cab driver assaulted by passenger who did not want to pay full fare (10/3)
• broken car window and window left open at Motorgate Garage ( (9/25, 26, 29) and
  
• Siphoning half a tank of gasoline from vehicle (9/29)
  

Also, at the September RIRA Common Council Meeting, it was agreed to submit a referendum to the Roosevelt Island voters concerning the establishment of a Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Below are the complete public safety reports for September 23 - October 7, 2008.

9/23/08-7:00 AM to 9/24/08-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Missing Property- Credit card. Reporter stated it was used without authorization. he was referred to NYPD.

Graffiti- In building. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Shop lift/ Petit larceny- PSD responded and subject told not to come to the store. shop lifting deposition form filed.

Custody Issue- mother of child not home to receive child and adult sister took custody of child.

Criminal Mischief- Broken Window- Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

Found Property- A Bag with property. It was secured in PSD.

Aided- Youth was crying excessively over broken computer. EMS refused.

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana- PSD arrested subject.

Open Container- 8 subjects arrested by PSD.

Reckless Driving- Subject arrested by PSD.

Criminal Mischief- Bucket of paint not sealed was turned over. UA notified. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Found Property a check. It was returned to the Owner by PSD.

9/24/08-7:00 AM to 9/25/08-7:00 AM

Investigation- Resident requested another be notified not to deliver food to him. Message left for resident.

Investigation- Female believed another was following. NYPD refused .

Petit larceny- Involves two youths . Parents notified and left with youth. NYPD refused.

Shop Lifting- 2 Youths involved. Parents notified and left with youth. NYPD refused and Trespass notice filed.

Littering- Motorist threw summons on the ground and received another summons for littering.

Harassment- PSD and NYPD responded. Resident reported another threatened her. NYPD report done.

Aided- Intoxicated female taken to the Hospital by EMS

0700 hrs. 09/25/08 - 0700 hrs. 09/26/08

Investigation/Harassment- Irritate male entered PSD, left before sgt responded.

Summons served- Court paper served by PSD to Island Residen.

Vehicle accident- On Main Street between Tractor trailer and SUV, NO injuries NYPD notified

Aided-Female fell on Main Street sufer several Injuries,Transported to Cormell HOspital.

Unsecured Vehicle-Vehicle Parked in Motor Gate with driver side window

open. unable to contackt owner

Criminal mischief- Hallway door shattered in Eastwood, super notified, negative result on possible subject.

Aided- female complaining leg pains 911 ntfd aided left before ems respond

Investgation- report two suspicious male in eastwood psd made search with negative results

9/26- 9/27

Unsecured Vehicle- Window left open. PSD conducted periodic check of the vehicle. No record of owner at Central Parking.

Child Custody matter- Father went to see children. mother did not open the door. The matter was referred to Family Court.

Resisting arrest- Subject arrested by PSD.

Disorderly Conduct- Subject arrested by PSD.

Disabled Vehicle- A MTA bus. MTA towed it.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

9/27/08-7:00 AM to 9/28/08-7:00 AM

Graffiti- In building. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA Notified.

Graffiti- In Park. Search for the subject yielded negative results. RIOC notified.

Multiple Vehicle Violations- PSD issued the motorist multiple violations.

Aided- Female fell in apt. Son had to break lock to gain entry. UA notified. Son will replace the locks. Female assisted up. EMS refused.

Hazardous Condition- Male fell and had back pain but refused EMS.

He will see his private doctor.

Did not receive report for 9/28-29

9/29/08-7:00 AM to 9/30/08-7:00 AM

Verbal Dispute- Over $5.00. PSD responded and it ceased. NYPD refused.

Investigation- NYPD special unit responded to apt regarding a jury case and access denied by tenant. Referred to ADA for a warrant.

Disorderly Conduct/Fail To Comply-Bus obstructed other buses and failed to comply with PSD officer and was disorderly. Subject issued summons by PSD.

Disabled vehicle- School Bus. PSD responded. It was pushed out of the way. Mechanic notified and other Bus picked up children.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Criminal Mischief- Broken Window in a vehicle. NYPD refused. Central Parking Manager notified.. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Petit Larceny- Half a tank of gas was siphon out of a vehicle. NYPD report done. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Criminal Mischief- In building. Broken light bulbs in building. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA Notified.

9/30/08-7:00 AM to 10/1/08-7:00 AM

Aided- Female fell in the subway and was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Petit Larceny- Subject took items previous day. Incident viewed on camera. Merchant refused to persue the matter. NYPD refused.

Smoke Condition- Small Garbage can fire. FDNY responded and extinguished it. No property damage or injuries.

Missing person- Youth. NYPD and PSD conducted a search of the Island for the youth with negative results. NYPD report done.

Investigation- Youth irate He was escorted to PSD. Mother retrieved youth.

Criminal Mischief- Male broke window in building. Subject arrested by PSD.

Burglary/Assault/Robbery/Disorderly Conduct- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.

Investigation- Prophylactics thrown on to patio by unknown subject.

Incident occurred three days ago. Search of the area yielded negative results for the subject.

Aided-An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

10/1/08-7:00 AM to 10/2/08-7:00 AM

Vehicle Accident Between 2 private vehicles. Parties referred to NYPD. No injuries.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Trespass- Subject arrested by PSD.

Water leak Tenant not in apt . UA and PSD responded. The apt was locked and secured. The source was another apt.

Missing Child- PSD responded and found the child.

Aggravated Harassment-Via Telephone threats made to tenant's daughter. NYPD report done.

Criminal Mischief- Tampered lock. UA notified. search for the subject yielded negative results.

Found Property- A wallet. It was secured in PSD.

0700 hrs 10/02/08 - 0700 hrs 10/03/08

Aided - Tenant walked into PSD to report he was not feeling well. EMS responded and transported aided to hospital.

Criminal Poss Weapon/Criminal Poss Marijuana - PSD Stopped two male subjects. One was issued summons for Poss. of Marijuana and the other was taken to 114 pct for arrest processing for Criminal Poss. of Weapon and Criminal Poss. of Marijuana.

0700 October 3rd, 2008 to 0700 October 4th, 2008

Unsecured Premise - Location found unsecured during patrol. Area searched with negative results. Door unable to be secured, PSD notified RIOC personnel so it could be repaired. An officer was posted at location.

Vehicle Accident - Female feel asleep at the wheel of her vehicle and ran into a light pole, causing damages to vehicle and pole. Female transported to hospital and RIOC personnel disconnected wires on light pole to prevent any hazardous conditions.

Family Dispute - Between mother and daughter. Daughter was escorted to apartment to remove her belongings and then left apartment without incident.

Criminal Possession - NYPD Officer and PSD Officer observed 2 males, one of them with illegal substance. One subject arrested by NYPD, second subject released.

Robbery 2nd Degree - Taxi driver reports he was punched by one of his 4 passengers and he then took money from him because they did not want to pay full amount of the fare. Search was conducted for subjects with negative results. Driver was uncooperative and refused NYPD.

0700HRS 10/04/08 to 0700HRS 10/05/08

Criminal Mischief - Tenant reports unknown object thrown into window causing glass to break. Service responds to clean up glass. PSD conducted search with negative results.

Violation of Court Order - Male wanted to report that his ex-wife that did not show to bring their son for court scheduled visit.

Graffiti - Unreadable black ink on window at location. Search yielded negative results and service was notified.

Hazardous Condition - Broken door handle on stairwell door. Service notified.

Criminal Mischief - Crack window observed in hallway. Urban American notified.

Dangerous Condition- Resident complained a ledge in the southtown park has no fence. No dangerous condition observed, child appeared to small to play in area.

Criminal Mischief- Pellet gun holes observed in hallway,search made with negative results.

Trespass- Three males arrested for trespass in 540 Main St. 19th floor.

Hazardous Condition- Two wide holes were observed on sidewalk. RIOC personnel notified.
Suspicious Male- One male stopped for videotaping the United nations, CPOP on scene, male stopped, questioned and released.

10/5 -10/6

Possible Aided - Urban American and PSD responded to check on tenant for Home attendant. Resident had gone to the hospital.

Aided - Female entered building lobby not feeling well and concierge called PSD. PSD responds and calls EMS. Aided transported to hospital.

Alarm - At the Cultural Center. PSD responded and all in order. Cultural Center personnel notified.

0700HRS 10/06/08 to0700HRS 10/07/08

Aided - Male suffering from dizziness and stomach pains, EMS was called and he was transported to the hospital.

Aided - PSD responds with EMS for a male with back pains. Aided transported to hospital.

Found Property - Female found a ATM card in the street. Card Company was contacted and officer was advised card had been canceled and could be destroyed. Card was shredded.

Confiscated Property - Driver made a u-turn and produced PBA cards which were confiscated.

Found Property - Male found a red and black female handbag on red bus. Secured in Sgts closet.

The Daily Roosevelt Island Public Safety reports from January 19 - April 30 2008 are here and from May 1 - October 5 2008 here.