NYPD Harbor Patrol Arrest Kayaker Spray Painting Graffiti On Rocks Near Roosevelt Island Bridge

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Great job by #Harbor with the arrest of a male they observed in a kayak spray painting graffiti on rocks in v/o Roosevelt Island Bridge. pic.twitter.com/TxC3XiI9jr

— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) August 14, 2017

NYPD Community Officer And Manhattan DA Representative Report On Roosevelt Island Public Safety Issues To RIRA Meeting Last Night - For The Most Part, Very Safe and Great Place To Live

Roosevelt Island's NYPD Community Police Officer Dino Sitaris spoke at last night's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Session. Officer Sitaris emphasized that Roosevelt Island was a very safe place to live and that he would be proud to live here with his family. Officer Sitaris did express concern over two recent incidents involving tires being stolen at the Motorgate Garage.

Here's what Officer Sitaris had to say.

You Tube Video Of Officer Sitaris Speaking at May 2 RIRA Meeting

Manhattan District Attorney's Office Community Affairs Coordinator Linda Jones Janneh also spoke during the RIRA Public Session reporting on the disposition of Roosevelt Island cases prosecuted by her office. Here's what she had to say.

You Tube Video of Manhattan DA Community Affairs Presentation To May RIRA Meeting.

Roosevelt Island Community NYPD Officer Sitaris Speaking At Tonight's RIRA Meeting, Come Learn What Is Going On - State Senator Jose Serrano's Roosevelt Island Constituent Office Hours Today Too

Image of June 2011 RIRA Common Council Meeting

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

As always, prior to the start of each meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern. Among tonight's Public Session speakers is Roosevelt Island's NYPD community officer Dino Sitaris.

Below is the Agenda for tonight's meeting.

Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Time: 8:00 P.M. - Finish

Place: Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 543 Main Street

(If convenient, would you please arrive 10 minutes in advance to help set up chairs, or stay 10 minutes late to help clean up? We are guests in the building and need to be good neighbors. Thanks in advance!)

1. Public Session (8:00)

NYPD Officer Dino Sitaras

2. Roll Call (8:15)

X 3. Approval of Agenda (8:20)

X 4. Approval of Minutes– April 4,, 2012 (8:25)

5. Treasurer’s Report (8:30)

6. President's Report (8:35)

7. Committees (8:50)

Social, Cultural and Educational Services

X Motion to fund RI Day breakfast

Communications

Government Relations/MTG sub-committee

Housing

Constitution

Island Services/Main St. Retail

Planning/Silicon Island

Public Safety

8. Old Business (9:50)

Katz – Sign-up for blood drive volunteers

9. New Business (9:55)

10. Adjourn

X Agenda items requiring action

Next Meeting:June 6, 2012

Here is Officer Sitaris speaking at the November 2011 RIRA meeting.

You Tube Video of NYPD Officer Addressing RIRA November Meeting

Also today, Roosevelt Island State Senator Jose Serrano's staff will be holding their monthly constituent office hours today.

Roosevelt Island Office Hours

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

RIOC Offices

591 Main Street

New York, NY 10044

If you have any questions to ask Senator Serrano's staff or are in need of any assistance that may require the help of your elected representative stop on by RIOC HQ. Also, bring photocopies of any paperwork related to your situation so that the Serrano staff can effectively and efficiently address the issue.

NYPD Officer Answers Questions From Roosevelt Island Residents Association - More Info on Recent Robbery and 9 Arrested For Trespassing and Smoking Marijuana in Roosevelt Landings Stairway

Received the following report from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Director Keith Guerra regarding these two incidents in response to my inquiry:

Robbery/ Harassment- Subject arrested by PSD (11/05/11).
Incident occurred on 9/15/11 at 6:13pm in the rear of 500 Main Street (East Seawall). Subject arrested was the last of 3 subjects wanted in connection with the above Robbery. The other two had already been apprehended, arrested & charged. Both victims in the original incident sustained injuries.

Trespass- Nine subjects arrested by PSD in Roosevelt Landings (11/06/11).
Incident occurred on 11/06/11 at 3:31pm at 580 Main Street. Resident called about a group smoking Marijuana in the Stairwell. 9 subjects were apprehended. Summonses were issued to those over 16 yrs old. Those under 16 were released to their parents. No injuries.

I am glad RIOC and I were able to resolve how to inform the Roosevelt Island community about providing additional information regarding Public Safety incidents.

During the November Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting, the new NYPD officer assigned to Roosevelt Island, Officer Sitaras, spoke and answered questions from RIRA members. Officer Sitaras spoke about his experience as being "old school" and growing up nearby in Queens. He indicated that Public Safety does a good job, that he has a good relationship with PSD and that hopefully he can take care of problems that PSD can't take care of. Officer Sitaris also noted that he has seen some issues with PSD Officers not being respected by some younger people, who may not even live here, and that a PSD officer was run over by a vehicle during a recent car stop. I was later told that the officer is now OK.

In response to one comment from RIRA's Jim Bates (also the President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association) regarding RIOC and Housing management vehicles driving recklessly on the the street, Officer Sitaris indicated that he will follow up on the matter.

Unfortunately RIRA President Matt Katz ended the question and answer period with Officer Sitaras after only 10 minutes because, in his view, there were other pressing matters for RIRA to discuss. Here is the video of Officer Sitaris speaking at the November RIRA meeting.

You Tube Video of NYPD Officer Addressing RIRA November Meeting

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting Tonight 8 PM At Good Shepherd Community Center - Come Learn What Is Going On And Add Your Voice To The Process

 RIOC CFO Steve Chironis Addressing October RIRA Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting later today, 8 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). The Agenda for the meeting is below.

Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Time: 8:00 P.M. - Finish

Place: Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 543 Main Street

1. Public Session (8:00)
• P.O. Dino Sitaras, 114th Precinct
2. Roll Call (8:15)
3. Approval of Agenda (8:20)
4. Approval of Minutes–October 5, 2011 (8:25)
5. Treasurer’s Report (8:30)
6. President's Report (8:35)
7. Committees (8:50)
• Government Relations/MTG sub-committee
• Housing
• Constitution Committee
• Island Services
• Planning/SCRC sub-committee
• Public Safety
• Social, Cultural and Educational Services
• Communications
8. Old Business (9:50)
9. New Business (9:55)
• Public Session Procedure Motion–Hamburger
10. Adjourn

Next Meeting: December 7, 2011

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. Newly assigned to Roosevelt Island,  NYPD Officer Sitaris will introduce himself during the Public Session.

Image of Roosevelt Island's NYPD Officer Sitaris At Farmers Market

A discussion and decision is expected regarding RIRA's plan to conduct elections this winter for nominees to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors.

Below are committee reports submitted to the RIRA Common Council.

The Island Services Committee Report:

RIRA – ISLAND SERVICES COMMITTEE (ISC) REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL MEETING, 11/2/11

Update on some of the issues ISC is working on:
Closing of Post Office Matt Katz had a direct contact with Carolyn Maloney indicating that she was making progress on preventing the closing of the RI Post Office. However, she wants more signers of the petition. RIRA and others gave Maloney 2,000 signers over the summer. RIRA and ISC have been collecting the additional signers. By the Common Council meeting (11/2/11), we expect we will be over the 1,000 goal.

Red Bus Operations Weʼve made no progress on the outstanding bus issues as RIOC stonewalled us all summer. Key issues to resolve are: (1) Adjustments to the Red Bus schedule, (2) allowing strollers on the bus during rush hours, (3) service to Southpoint Park and Sportspark. RIRA is now scheduled to meet with RIOC (Martinez & Opperman) the morning of 11/2/11. Weʼll have a full report on this meeting at the Common Council session that evening.

Main St. Retail Stores ISC reviewed the information disclosed at the 10/20/11 Community – Hudson-Related meeting. We all agreed it was a good and productive meeting. Over 300 RI residents attended. As Main St. leasing and improvements proceed, the ISC Main St. Stores Task Force (led by Mona Sen) is ready to help the community in resolving potential future controversies and relaying key information and concerns to Hudson-Related. The Task Force will continue in place until the end of our Common Council terms in Nov., 2012.

Special Note: At the 10/24/11 ISC meeting, 10 out of our 12 members attended. A record turn-out.

The Planning Committee Report:

The RIRA Planning Committee did not meet in October. I expect we will meet in November or December, as schedules permit.

I will discuss with the Planning Committee the effort to analyze the 2010 Census data for Roosevelt Island. My hunch is that this effort will produce some insight that might be useful for Roosevelt Island, and also for Borough President Stringer and Mayor Bloomberg. We shall see after the analysis is complete and coordinate our communications with the RIRA Government Relations Committee.

I'm expecting Ms. Shull to report separately on the Southern Development committee efforts.

The Silicon Island Sub-Committee Report:

Report of the Silicon Island sub-committee – November 2, 2011
Numerous groups such as the seniors, RIDA, the garden club and the chamber of commerce have been contacted to submit lists of their "wish-list" for a community benefit agreement.

Jonathan Kalkin is doing most of the leg-work on this as our legal counsel recommended this coalition be a new organization. RIRA will have a seat on the coalition in the form a formal seat plus the representation of Delores and Jim Bates.

An in-person meeting of the groups that respond will take place within in the next month to six weeks.

Again per counsel's recommendation, a list is being kept of who is contacted and who responds so that in the future, the agreement is solid in terms of demonstrating that the entire community was overtly invited.

and the Housing Committee Report:

The Committee met at 2:30pm on 3/26/11 at the Trellis Restaurant and conducted an extensive and wide-ranging discussion about a variety of issues.

Issue #1: We discussed the importance and need to write and include a mission statement of the Housing Committee for the RIRA website. By chance, Vini was also present at the Trellis and we had a chance to collegially and informally discuss with him the wish to relay to him a mission statement for inclusion on the website. Chair of Housing Committee commented that she would prefer if Vini could please personally put the paragraph on the website as her technological skills are lacking insofar as posting items on the website. Vini graciously agreed to place the mission statement, and any other information the Committee may feel is helpful to visitors to the RIRA website seeking information re housing on RI. Such additional information could include information regarding the HEAP program, as well as information or even links to companies offering apartment insurance, for example.

Action Taken: The mission statement and the additional information for the website remains pending at this time.

Issue #2: Russell discussed his activities regarding obtaining information on disclosure of resident energy costs by landlords in advertising and leases.

Action Taken: Russell’s effort was tabled at this time.

Issue #3: Steve discussed the HEAP program, whereby low-income tenants can apply for and obtain energy cost assistance from the government. Unfortunately, the application process is complicated, Steve reported, and tenants are not always reimbursed properly. Sometimes, the help of an attorney is necessary to obtain reimbursement, Steve added. Currently, there is a question as to whether HEAP will pay benefits to applicants receiving sub metered electricity.

Action Taken: As discussed above, information regarding the HEAP program, along with advice from the Committee regarding the possible difficulty of obtaining benefits from HEAP, as well as information to be developed by Russ regarding energy cost disclosure, may one day be included within the Housing Committee portion of the RIRA website. We would like to include helpful information such as this to assist present and possible future renters or owners on RI, so that they can get an idea of resident energy costs beforehand and not be surprised by the cost of energy once they move in; or, if they currently reside on RI, they may also benefit from the information and advice.

Issue #4: We would like to one day hold a Housing Fair, which could include the distribution of literature and applications from HEAP and even a presentation by a HEAP representative. Information about apartment insurance would also be distributed, along with insurance company representatives available to give additional information or distribute applications. Housing advocates could conduct workshops including giving advice on forming tenants associations, tenants rights in general, pointers in negotiating with government agencies, landlords, or even in Housing Court, etc.

Action Taken: We plan to confine ourselves to developing and putting information on the Housing Committee portion of the RIRA website regarding these and other important energy and housing issues.

Issue #5: We discussed a variety of miscellaneous items, including the college campus to be built at the site of Goldwater Hospital, the possibility of additional affordable housing on RI and what is the role of RIRA in advocating for the protection of fixed-income, low-income, and moderate-income tenants residing on RI.
Action Taken: The Committee expressed the hope for the continuation of RI as a mixed-income, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community. As far as obtaining traction or leverage in order to influence decisions being taken by the City re Goldwater and the developers regarding the construction of affordable housing at Southtown, much depends on the vision and fairness of City Hall, as well as Albany’s power in performing diligent oversight and enforcement with respect to the proper interpretation of the agreements with our developers regarding the construction of a specific percentage of affordable apartments along with apartments offered at market rates.

So, if you are interested in learning about or participating in the Roosevelt Island community, stop on by tonight's RIRA Meeting.

New Roosevelt Island NYPD Community Officer Meets And Greets Residents At Farmers Market This Past Weekend

Image of Roosevelt Island's NYPD Officer Sitaris At Farmers Market

Reported previously that a new NYPD officer has been assigned to Roosevelt Island:

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....

I met Officer Sitaris this past weekend at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market. Officer Sitaris spent several hours meeting, greeting and talking with Roosevelt Island residents. I found him to be very approachable, friendly and a good listener. During my conversation with him, he expressed a strong desire to work with the Roosevelt Island community and praised the work of the Public Safety Department.

Welcome Officer Sitaris!