RIRA Calls For Removal Of Top Management At Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department And Plans February 16 Public Demonstration Against Brutality - Requests Governor Cuomo Investigate And Provide Oversight For Public Safety Department

Roosevelt Island policing and Public Safety issues were the subject of February 6 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council meeting. As previously reported, RIRA's Public Session portion of the meeting included a presentation by NYPD 114 Precinct (which covers Roosevelt Island) Commander Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, a RIRA commendation award for NYPD Officer Dino Sitaris and a report from Manhattan District Attorney Community Affairs Officer Linda Janneh-Jones on the Trespass Affidavit Program as well as questions from residents. Here's video of that portion of the RIRA meeting.

Following the Public Session, the RIRA Common Council unanimously approved resolutions calling for the removal of top management at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department and and a February 16 public demonstration to address Public Safety Concerns.

Here are the resolutions:

Resolution:

Whereas, the residents of RI feel that PSD uses excessive force.

- Whereas, the residents disagree with the "maximum enforcement" and "zero tolerance" policies used under Director Guerra and his leadership.

- Whereas the residents feel that a hostile, abusive, and intimidating atmosphere is created by the Public Safety Department, as directed by its leadership.

- Whereas, the RIRA Public Safety Committee has expressed these concerns and made suggestions for reform for many years

- Whereas there has been virtually no improvement in Public Safety's behavior or its relationship to the community.

- Whereas Director Guerra does not objectively review or investigate the complaints made against his officers.

- Whereas the situation has been worsening significantly in the past year

- Therefore, RIRA requests RIOC terminate the services of Director Guerra, Deputy Director Bryan, Lieutenant Yee, and other top PSD leadership as RIOC may deem necessary.

and:

Resolution #2
The Public Safety Committee, forwards to the RIRA Common Council, a request that the RIRA Common Council endorse, sponsor and promotes a peaceful demonstration, scheduled for February 16, 2013, to be held in the Good Shepherd Plaza, to address Public Safety Concerns.

More information on the February 16 Public Safety Demonstration

Image From Roosevelt Island Citizens Blotter

available at the Roosevelt Island Citizens Blotter Facebook Page.

Also, unanimously approved by the RIRA Common Council were these letters to NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo and NY State Senator Jose Serrano. An excerpt from the introduction of both letters:

As members of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association’s (RIRA) Public Safety Committee it is our responsibility to explore reports and patterns of law enforcement misconduct, when brought to our attention by residents of our community. We consider this the most important aspect of the Committee's mission.

There is widespread awareness by Island residents of inappropriate, aggressive and unacceptable behavior on the part of various officers under the command of the Director of Public Safety Keith Guerra and his predecessors. These repeated occurrences represent a pattern and a culture of abuse and incompetence that is completely intolerable and even illegal. These accounts have accelerated to a point where parents are afraid when their children are outside, because they fear the consequences of their interaction with Public Safety. Teenagers, dentists, pacifists, journalists, and parents at a little league game have witnessed this aggressive behavior....

Here's the full text of RIRA letters to Governor Cuomo and State Senator Serrano and video of the RIRA discussion moderated by RIRA Public Safety Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem.

Part 1



and Part 2 (a few moments between Parts 1 and 2 are missing as I changed cameras when battery power died).



RIOC has provided no statement or comment on these matters. There is litigation pending in the Jones incident.

UPDATE 2/12 - Roosevelt Island's NY State Senator Jose Serrano issued this statement regarding the Jones incident and Roosevelt Island Public Safety issues:

Roosevelt Island residents have approached my office with concerns about an incident allegedly involving Anthony Jones and the actions of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department. These allegations are troubling, however I believe that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation acted appropriately in referring the incident to the State Inspector General for thorough review. It is important that the Inspector General be given the opportunity to independently investigate these allegations and make an appropriate determination. As the State Senator representing Roosevelt Island, I will continue to support legislative reforms to ensure there is sufficient oversight of those empowered to protect the public's safety and general welfare. I believe the legislation introduced by Assemblyman Kellner to create a State Civilian Complaint Review Board to investigate any alleged misconduct by state police forces, like Roosevelt Island Public Safety, is an important step towards inspiring public confidence.

NYPD Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi Speaks To Roosevelt Island Residents - Answers Questions On Policing Strategies, Public Safety Brutality Allegations & More, Officer Sitaris Receives Commendation and Manhattan DA Rep Reports On Trespass Affidavit Program

NYPD Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, Commander of the 114th Precinct in Queens (which covers Roosevelt Island) spoke to the February 6 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) meeting held at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Inspector Cirabisi began his presentation saying that Roosevelt Island is one of the safest neighborhoods in NYC and presented crime statistics for Roosevelt Island showing a decrease in major crimes from the previous year - a total of 3 robberies, 7 assaults, 10 grand larcenies (mostly credit card fraud), 5 burglaries and 2 rapes (victim and complainants were known to each other said Inspector Cirabisi). Inspector Cirabisi also noted that the NYPD has a good relationship with Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

Inspector Cirabisi then took questions from the audience mostly dealing with brutality allegations against the Public Safety Department as well as his thoughts on alternative policing strategies for Roosevelt Island including using off duty NYPD officers paid by RIOC to patrol Roosevelt Island (as is done at banks and other retail establishments). Inspector Cirabisi did not think using off duty NYPD officers to patrol Roosevelt Island was a feasible tactic but indicated that he will research the issue further.

Inspector Cirabisi was also asked if NYPD would respond to residents calls for assistance if residents were being assaulted by Public Safety Officers. Initially, Inspector Cirabisi indicated that NYPD would not investigate another law enforcement agency but later said that if a call was placed to 911, NYPD responds to all 911 calls including those on Roosevelt Island.

Here's Inspector Cirabisi's full presentation including questions from residents.



After Inspector Cirabisi's presentation, NYPD's Roosevelt Island Community Officer Dino Sitaris was presented a commendation for his service to Roosevelt Island by RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem.



Officer Sitaris then spoke about helping to improve relationships with NYPD, Public Safety and the community followed by Inspector Cirabisi's invitation for residents to attend the 114 Precinct Community meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at Riccardo's restaurant 21- 04 23rd Avenue in Astoria.



After Inspector Cirabisi and Officer Sitaris spoke, Manhattan District Attorney Community Affairs Officers Linda Janneh-Jones reported on the Trespass Affidavit Program (TAP) which many Roosevelt Island building are enrolled in at the request of their building managers. TAP allows NYPD and Public Safety officers to enter buildings enrolled in the Program to conduct vertical patrols without receiving a 911 call and arrest people for trespass who are not permitted to be in the building.

Here's Ms. Jones presentation on TAP.



Will have more later today tomorrow soon on the February 6 RIRA meeting including unanimous approval resolutions calling for the removal of top management at RIOC Public Safety Department and a February 16 public demonstration to address Public Safety Concerns.

Also, it was announced at the RIRA meeting that residents have created a Facebook Page, Roosevelt Island Citizens Blotter, to document allegations of Public Safety brutality.

UPDATE - More here.

Commander Of NYPD 114 Precinct Stephen Cirabisi To Speak At Tonight's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting - Come Learn What Is Going On Here

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting tonight, 8 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

NYPD Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, Commander of the 114th Precinct in Queens (which covers Roosevelt Island), will speak at the RIRA meeting tonight. Inspector Cirabisi previously spoke at the April 2011 RIRA meeting.

NYPD Inspector Cirabisi(second from left) and Colleague Speaking With RIRA's President and Public Safety Chair

Here's what happened at that meeting.

Also expected to be discussed tonight is the relationship between the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and the community as well as the recent brutality allegation brought against the Public Safety Department.

Full Time 114 Precinct NYPD Officer Assigned To Roosevelt Island - Welcome Officer Sitaras

NYPD Inspector Cirabisi and Colleague Speaking With RIRA's President and Public Safety Chair at April RIRA Meeting

Received the following report on September 28 from Roosevelt Island Residents Association President (RIRA) Matt Katz:

Dino Sitaras, an NYPD officer from the 114th Pct. met with the RIRA Public Safety Committee last night to introduce himself. A native of western Queens, he is very familiar with Roosevelt Island and is looking forward to his shift here, and especially to working with Island kids. This fulfills the promise of commanding officer, Deputy Inspector, Stephen Cirabisi, to assign a full-time officer here. RIRA has extended an invitation to Officer Dino to meet the Common Council at one of our monthly meetings.

RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem adds:

The RIRA Public Safety Committee had the pleasure of spending several hours with Community Officer Sitaras during our last Committee meeting. Officer Sitaras was open and interested in learning about the Roosevelt Island community. Through reflection of his 17 years of experience on the force, and because of his desire to work as the Roosevelt Island Community Officer, together we were able to discuss the needs and desires of our community. The RIRA Public Safety Committee welcomes Officer Sitaras and looks forward to working with him.

NYPD Officer Now On Permanent Roosevelt Island Assignment Reports 114 Precinct Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi - The Inspector Made A Promise To Roosevelt Island and Kept It!

 Image From NY Daily News

What's the latest on efforts to again have a New York Police Department officer permanently assigned to Roosevelt Island?

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz shares this email he received yesterday from 114 Precinct's Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi:

Hi Mr. Katz:

I have assigned a permanent Police Officer to Roosevelt Island to replace Police Officer Fernandez two weeks ago. His name is Police Officer Manuel Diaz. He is a young and ambitious officer. I have instructed Police Officer Fernandez to bring him around and introduce him to the key people on the island. He will be working the same hours and days that Police Officer Fernandez did. Any further questions please let me know

Here's the background on how Roosevelt Island lost it's previous NYPD officer and eventually got a new one.

Inspector Cirabisi At Speaking at April RIRA Meeting

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra reports:

On Tuesday, June 21, 2001 at 3:15 a.m. at 546 Main Street 4th Floor (Roosevelt Landings Housing Complex) a 20 year-old male black (known to the Public Safety Department) was the victim of an Assault in the first degree.

While walking through the 4th floor corridor, the victim was confronted by two males wearing hooded sweatshirts.  He was shot twice in the arm and hip (not life threatening) with a small caliber round, and transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.  Thus far, there have been no arrests.   It is unknown at this time if the incident is Gang related.  NYPD is currently involved in an ongoing investigation.

NYPD Officer Assigned To and Patrolling Roosevelt Island Every Day But Not Yet On Permanent Basis - What Happened Last Saturday Night, Was There A Main Street Brawl?

 Image From NY Daily News

Here's the latest on efforts to again have a New York Police Department officer permanently assigned to Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Matt Katz asked 114 Precinct's Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi:

Dear Inspector Cirabisi:

 The RIRA Common Council will meet on Wednesday, June 1 for the last time until we resume after Labor Day on September 7.  Can you tell me whether an officer has been assigned permanently to patrol Roosevelt Island on the four to midnight shift?  I would love to share that good news with my colleagues before we disband for the summer.  Thanks and best wishes,

          Matthew Katz

          President, RIRA

Inspector Cirabisi At Speaking at April RIRA Meeting

Inspector Cirabisi replied:

Hello Mr. Katz, As of now there is not a steady officer assigned but there is one assigned everyday on the 1500x2300 shift. We try to keep the same officer as much as possible. You can be assurred that there will be an officer patroling the island everyday on this shift throughout the summer. If you have any other concerns please let me know.

Comments to post earlier this week on RIRA's June Public Safety Committee Report noted here and here that a brawl involving as many as 20 people may have occurred on Main Street near the Public Safety Office last Saturday at about midnight - after the NYPD officer's tour ended.

Yesterday, in order to verify the accuracy of these reports, I checked the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for the weekend and found nothing to suggest such an incident took place.(The Daily Public Safety Reports are posted on the middle sidebar of blog).

I then sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez and Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

I received reports, including these two emails below, regarding a brawl/ fighting incident that occurred on Main Street last Saturday night around midnight.

I can find nothing on the Public Safety Reports for the weekend to indicate this occurred.

Was there such a fight and if so, can you provide information on what happened?

Below are the reports I received about the incident.

There was a serious incident on Main Street, just about in front of the Public Safety office, at about midnight Saturday. Looked like about 20 people involved in a fight, at least one taken away in handcuffs, several NYPD cars came screaming down the street.

and

What ever it was, it was loud, big and for a few minutes, very threatening -- I was awakened from sleep by the noise and I am not even on Main Street.
Called RIPSD and phone rang at least 30 times - I figured they already knew. Could see from my apt that many of the folks involved were running away as NYPD approached.
Summer is here and this will not be either the first or last incident that we will need to know more about...

Thank you.

As of this afternoon, I have not received any response to my inquiry so I followed up with this:

 Will there be a comment from RIOC regarding report of a fight involving approximately 20 people in front of Public Safety Department last Saturday night around midnight that was described in email below?

If this fight did occur, was it included in Public Safety Incident Report for that day? I did not see it listed. If not included, why not?

Thank you.

I did receive this announcement today from Mr. Guerra:

As part of our pro-active Community Outreach program, the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department will be hosting it's second Gang Summit on Thursday, June 23rd from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

We will be bringing in renowned gang expert Ron "Cook" Barrett, who will put on a fantastic presentation on Gang Recognition and Awareness.

Please pass the word regarding this summit, as we feel that everyone in attendance will get something out of this very informative program.

Thank you and hope to see you on 6/23.

Mr. Cook has previously conducted a Gang Recognition and Awareness Program on Roosevelt Island. More information on Mr. Cook's program available from earlier posts.

UPDATE 6/9 - At 4:16 PM yesterday, Public Safety Department Director Guerra sent the following message:

... As for the alleged fight, I already sent you an explanation.

I replied:

I never received any explanation regarding the alleged fight.

Can you resend please.

Mr. Guerra responded that he sent the same message to RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez who received the message. When I asked Mr. Guerra to resend his explanation, he did so immediately. Here is his explanation for what happened on Saturday night.

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department was called to the front of 540 Main Street for a large crowd.

Apparently, {Name Deleted}  who had been arrested last week, got out of his car to confront a group that was in front of the building. More people came over, and the noise level elevated. By this time PSD & NYPD officers were on the scene. The crowd was dispersed by all of the Officers on the scene. No arrests were made and order was restored.

{Same Name Deleted} then claimed someone had driven his car away from the scene, and wanted to file a report for Grand Larceny Auto. Witnesses, however, stated that the person who drove his car away was, in fact, with {Same Name Deleted}. A report was taken for Grand Larceny Auto anyway, and that was reflected in the 24 Hour Report.

(Note that this Blog's policy is not to publish names of those arrested before their case is adjudicated. That's why the name in Mr. Guerra's statement is deleted. In my view, the name of an arrested suspect does not add to the substance of a story and can harm that person unfairly if subsequently not convicted)

I also received this account from Roosevelt Island resident Arlise describing what she saw last Saturday night.

I returned to the island and had just reached Blackwell House when people began running as if for their lives. One woman yelled as she ran by to not walk down Main Street because a gang of kids are fighting and they might have guns. I've lived on RI for over 35 years and this was the first time ever, ever that I was afraid to walk down Main Street. A kind gentlemen over 6 feet tall walked with me until I reached my building.

The Great Roosevelt Island NYPD Assignment Controversy Resolved - NYPD Officers Assigned on a Temporary Basis Now Until Full Time Replacement Designated

NYPD Inspector Cirabisi and Colleague Speaking With RIRA's President and Public Safety Chair at April RIRA Meeting

Received some good news today in the ongoing controversy over recent re-assignment of the only NYPD officer assigned to Roosevelt Island. Two anonymous comments made on the Blog yesterday here and here indicated that a new NYPD officer was patrolling Roosevelt Island. To check out the accuracy of the comments, I was just about to email Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres and Public Safety Director Keith Guerra when I received this email from RIOC Press Spokesperson Anat Gerstein:

GREAT NEWS:  NYPD REASSIGNS OFFICER TO BE STATIONED ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND

As a result of RIOC's on-going dialogue with the commanding officer of the New York Police Department's (NYPD) 114th Precinct and the Mayor's Office, requesting a replacement of the NYPD officer who was recently reassigned, the NYPD has informed RIOC that Roosevelt Island will be receiving a daily patrol.

“RIOC is very happy to be able to report that there will continue to be a regularly scheduled NYPD presence on the Island  working hand-in-hand with our Public Safety Department.  We are grateful to the NYPD and the Mayor’s Office.  This is great news for our residents and businesses,” said Leslie Torres, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

As you recall, Roosevelt Island residents had been told that after the previous officer was re-assigned, it was extremely unlikely that the 114th Precinct Commander would be able to allocate a new NYPD officer to Roosevelt Island. The 114th Precinct Commander, Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, indicated that the NYC budget cuts to the NYPD would make it difficult to assign an officer to Roosevelt Island but that he would do his best to try.  Some Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Delegates claimed that a new NYPD officer would never be assigned again to Roosevelt Island because of alleged poor treatment received by the previous NYPD officer by other RIRA members and that those RIRA members owed an apology to the officer and NYPD.  This angry discussion/confrontation occurred at the April RIRA meeting.

You Tube Video of April RIRA Meeting Confrontation

Fortunately, those RIRA members who said a NYPD officer would never be assigned to Roosevelt Island were wrong.

So what happened. How did the a new NYPD officer get assigned to Roosevelt Island? Following the publication in the NY Post of an article with the headline:

No Sheriff in town
Roosevelt I.'s only cop transfers amid complaints

RIRA President Matt Katz emailed Inspector Cirabisi:

Dear Inspector Cirabisi:

I want to thank you for your visit to the RIRA Common Council last Wednesday. Your remarks helped to clear the air on several issues that have hung fire within our organization.

I’m looking at today’s New York Post, which printed an article (page 6) on Roosevelt Island policing. It quoted unnamed “police officials” as saying that, “The 114th Precinct in Astoria, which oversees Roosevelt Island, will not reassign another officer to the isle…” When you addressed us last week, you indicated that no decision had been reached and that this would be decided based on manpower availability and need.

Can you clear up this contradiction for us? Despite our low crime stats, we would welcome the presence of an NYPD officer here to supplement Public Safety and to confirm our credentials as City residents entitled to City services. Many thanks for all your officers do,

Inspector Cirabisi replied:

As you know Police Officer Fernandez was not transfered out of the 114 Precinct and I don't know who their Police source is but it is inaccurate. I am reviewing my staffing and I am currently looking for a replacement for Police Officer Fernandez. Once I find his replacement I will let you know.

There was also a meeting between RIOC and the NYPD at the Mayor's office referenced above, but I have not received any information yet on what occured.

RIRA President Matt Katz adds:

Inspector Cirabisi of the 114^th Pct. called me yesterday to report that he has assigned temporary officers to Roosevelt Island on Officer Fernandez’s old forty-hour shift.  This will remain in place until he assigns a full-time officer replacement, which he intends to do....

and:

At the last RIRA Common Council meeting, 144^th Pct. commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi informed us that Officer Fernandez’s reassignment was not as a result of any action by the RIRA Public Safety Committee, and that, based on personnel and need, we might expect a new officer to assume that forty-hour shift exclusively on Roosevelt Island.  In his phone call to me yesterday, Insp. Cirabisi made good on that offer, noting that temporary officers are now assigned to that four-to-midnight shift until a full-time replacement is designated.  This is good news!  Roosevelt Island is fortunate to have both NYPD and Public Safety patrols, which have helped to make our community one of the safest in New York City.  Yet another reason to consider our home unique in the City and in America.

As both Ms. Torres and Mr. Katz state - Good News!!

RIRA Meeting Erupts With Angry Confrontation Over Departure Of Roosevelt Island's Sole Assigned NYPD Officer - Precinct Commander Says RIRA Had Nothing To Do With Reassignment But Some RIRA Members Vehemently Disagree

NYPD Inspector Cirabisi and Colleague Speaking With RIRA's President and Public Safety Chair

The Commander of NYPD's 114th Precinct in Queens (which covers Roosevelt Island) Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi

Inspector Cirabisi At Speaking at April RIRA Meeting

began Wednesday evening's Public Session of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) April meeting with a brief presentation on Roosevelt Island crime. Inspector Cirabisi informed those assembled

 April RIRA Meeting

that for the year so far there were 10 reports of felony index crimes, seven of which involved credit card fraud, 2 assaults and one robbery. (RIOC Public Safety Stats show slightly different numbers).

Tweeting the meeting was riraonline:

Roosevelt island has only had 10 major crimes in 2011, 7 of which were credit card fraud

Inspector Cirabisi reported that there is very little street crime on Roosevelt Island and then addressed the big question of the evening which many attending the meeting were waiting to hear addressed - Why was the only NYPD Officer assigned to Roosevelt Island removed and would the position be replaced?

According to the Precinct Commander, Officer Fernandez was removed for no other reason than another position opened up in the Precinct and that Officer Fernandez was being rewarded with a promotion for a job well done. When asked specifically whether Officer Fernandez was removed because of any phone calls or complaints about him made by Roosevelt Island residents, the Inspector said no.

When asked whether another Officer will be assigned to Roosevelt Island, the Inspector indicated that he will review the situation and that hopefully he would be able to do so if more Police Officers are assigned to the 114th precinct. I did not get the impression that it was likely to occur in the near future.

RIRA Public Safety Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem remarked that she noticed more NYPD patrol car activity up and down Main Street and the Inspector asked if that was a good thing. Ms. Nahem said it was a good thing and the Inspector replied that there will be more of that in the absence of an assigned officer.

More riraonline tweeting:

NYPD patrol cars are more frequently driving through Roosevelt island since the departure of our own Police officer

and:

We might actually have more police presence now than before

Inspector Cirabisi also noted the good work done by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and indicated that he did not see a need to arm the Public Safety Officers with guns.

In response to a question from Ms. Nahem asking if he was mad at them, meaning RIRA, Inspector Cirabisi responded "no, not at all".

Inspector Cirabisi and his NYPD colleague left the meeting with the appreciation of those present and the RIRA meeting resumed it's regular business.

But that was not the end of the controversy and hard feelings created by the departure of Roosevelt Island's only assigned NYPD officer.

RIRA Common Council Member Joyce Mincheff did not accept Inspector Cirabisi's statement that Officer Fernandez left his Roosevelt Island assignment on his own accord as conclusive that RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem and others were not responsible for Officer Fernandez leaving Roosevelt Island. Ms. Mincheff believes by contacting his superiors, these RIRA members were the cause of Officer Fernandez departure, that such a belief is not mutually inconsistent with Inspector's Cirabisi's statement and that an apology by these RIRA members to Officer Fernandez is necessary if another NYPD officer is to be assigned to Roosevelt Island.

Ms Mincheff did not get the apology she sought.

Here's what happened between Ms. Mincheff, Ms. Feeley Nahem, other RIRA members and RIRA President Matt Katz trying to keep order.

You Tube Video of April RIRA Meeting Confrontation

For the record, Ms. Mincheff also believes that this blog is at least partially responsible for the Officer's removal by publishing this RIRA Public Safety Committee Report prior to the January RIRA meeting.

NYPD's 114 Precinct Commander Deputy Inspector Cirabisi to Appear at Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting Tonight - Is NYPD Community Policing Over For Roosevelt Island?

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting 8 PM tonight at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). The Agenda for the meeting is below. As always, prior to the start of each meeting there is a public session in which any resident can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

The RIRA Agenda includes the scheduled appearance of the 114th Precinct Commander Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi during the Public Session.

Image From NYPD

It will be interesting to see how Deputy Inspector Cirabisi addresses the recent departure of the only NYPD officer assigned to Roosevelt Island and the apparent unlikelihood that another NYPD officer will be assigned to Roosevelt Island.

Commenting on the loss of Roosevelt Island's only assigned NYPD officer, Retired NYPD writes:

Since the 1980s the NYPD has seen a dramatic decrease in crime. This is mostly attributed to the attack on quality of life issues, such as the beer drinkers, public urinators, graffiti artists, drug addicts, emotionally disturbed people, etc.

The way NYPD carried out this plan has changed over the years. NYPD Police Commisioner Lee Brown introduced community policing to the NYPD back in 1990 as a form of crime prevention. For years after that you would see more police walking on foot, patrolling on bicycles and interacting more closely with the communities they patrolled. It was considered a good crime fighting tactic, at the time. In the mid 1990s community policing was supplemented with beefed up street crime units. By the early 2000s community policing had already been phased out completely by new police commissioners and replaced with the IMPACT program. Instead of having 'veteran' cops patrolling specific communities on bike or foot, you now had 'rookies' swarm areas of high crime.

I don't know of any other community in New York City besides Roosevelt Island that still had a community police officer still posted to it. I would think it is common sense to not jeopardize a good thing if you have it. I have been retired a couple of years already, but I assume the thinking is still pretty much the same as it was in the early 2000s. Asking the NYPD for a change, such as a reassignment of a community police officer (which should not still exist in current NYPD law enforcement strategies) can be equated to an ending of a specific post.

Sure, Roosevelt Island will still have a police presence, in the form of patrol cars driving through or in response to calls. Roosevelt Island will not have a swarm of rookies patrolling on foot, like for example, Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, because of the low crime rate on the island. The difference will be seen in the NYPD's strategy on Roosevelt Island, crime prevention versus a 'quick' response to crimes. Luckily, the Public Safety Department uses a combination of strategies. That is why you see PSD officers patrolling the buildings, officers patrolling on foot, bike and segways on the street and patrolling everything else in cars. Community policing in such a small town is important. As residents of Roosevelt Island, we should have a better appreciation of the job the Public Safety Department does.

Here is the April RIRA Agenda:
RIRA April Agenda

Just before the start of the April RIRA Meeting, the April RIOC Board of Directors Meeting will take place starting at 5:30 PM at the Manhattan Park Community Center.

Also, State Senator Jose Serrano's staff will be holding their monthly constituent office hours from 4 -7 PM at RIOC HQ, 591 Main Street. These constituent office hours by Senator Serrano's staff are an excellent way to let Senator know what's happening on Roosevelt Island and also a way for them to help you with any assistance that may require the help of your elected representative