Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Commends Public Safety Officer Cabassa For Helping Missing Elderly Man, Roosevelt Island Alert System, Halloween Parade, Fall For Arts & Sportspark Pool Maintenance

Silver Alert Image From NCMissingPersons

 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

Before addressing Fall for Arts and other upcoming Island projects, I would like to commend our Public Safety officers for a job well done. Last weekend, the Public Safety Department received a call from the Coler-Goldwater Hospital Police regarding a car that was driving erratically. Officer Cabassa responded to the call and flagged down the vehicle. After a few questions, it became clear that the elderly person inside was disoriented and in need of assistance. Based on the driver's confusion, Cabassa believed that this might be a missing persons case. After he relayed his suspicions to the NYPD, the agency confirmed that a Silver Alert (issued for missing vulnerable adults by NYC's emergency alert system, Notify NYC) had been put out for the driver.

Shortly after confirming the alert, Officer Cabassa contacted one of the driver's relatives to let him know that his missing family member was safe and would be coming home soon. He related the story of how his parent had left home the night before and had been driving for approximately twenty-four hours and traveled almost seventy miles before being stopped by Public Safety. The two were reunited at the hospital and returned home together. After a follow-up call, Cabassa reports that the elderly person is "doing much better" and is "in good spirits now." I thank these officers for their efforts and for their role in reuniting this family.

RIOC Advisories

The example above shows just how effective and indispensable electronic alerts, such as the Silver Alert that was issued for the missing woman, have become. If you have not already signed up for local community and emergency alerts through RIOC Advisories, I urge you to visit our website at rioc.ny.gov and subscribe today. Remember, if we can't reach you, we can't alert you.

RIOC is currently upgrading our current advisory system, allowing subscribers to select which categories of alerts they would like to receive and by methods such as phone, email or text message. These improvements are scheduled to be implemented during the month of November, so keep an eye out for announcements and instructions once the new system goes live.

Fall for Arts

The 2014 Fall for Arts Festival takes place today, Saturday October 11th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event kicks off at 10:45 a.m. at the Motorgate Garage bus turnaround, where iDig2Learn will present The Daffodil Project. As part of a citywide initiative, we invite you to come out and plant bulbs in memory of the victims of September 11th. The festival will continue with free art classes and musical performances at the RIVAA Gallery, live mural painting on the lawn south of Rivercross and at Southpoint Park, along with fantastic multicultural food choices, free art activities, entertainment and performers at Southpoint Park and the FDR Four Freedoms Park. For a full schedule of events, visit us online at rioc.ny.gov. We hope you'll come out and participate in the festivities!

Halloween

Roosevelt Island's annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza, presented by Urban American with support from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and the Roosevelt Island Youth Center, will take place on Saturday, October 25 beginning at 11 AM. The annual Parade begins at Blackwell Park and travels down Main Street, culminating in a community celebration at Capobianco Field. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved to P.S./I.S. 217. Every year, hundreds of Roosevelt Island families come out to watch and take part in this island tradition, showcasing their creative costumes, playing games and enjoying the holiday in a safe and fun way. We hope to see you there.

Sportspark Pool Maintenance

On Wednesday, October 15th, the Sportspark Pool will close after the morning Open Swim session at 10 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. On that day, the evening Open Swim session will be canceled. Over time, the surface of the pool is subjected to wear and tear. During this short closure, contractors will make any necessary repairs to the pool's interior to ensure it remains in good condition. The Pool will reopen according to its normal schedule on Thursday, October 16th at 6 a.m. Thank you for your patience while we conduct this necessary work.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Commendation And Promotion Ceremony Held On May 18 - Thank You For Your Service

Image of RI Public Safety Dep't at Commendation Ceremony From RIOC

Received this report from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra.

On May 18, 2012 the RIOC Public Safety Department held its Fifth Annual Commendation/Promotion Ceremony at the 591 Main Street Plaza. In conjunction with Police Week, it was a time to honor those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Several of the Public Safety Officers received awards for various acts of bravery and ingenuity. Two of the Public Safety Officers received the Life Saving Award for rescuing a male who jumped into the East River, as well as stopping a woman attempting to jump out of her apartment window nine stories up, both in an attempt of suicide. Other awards were given out to several of our Sergeants, Detectives and Officers for Excellent and Meritorious Service for various incidents such as illegal drug activity with intent to sell, apprehending two subjects wanted for a past robbery, placing a female teacher under arrest for sexual abuse of a minor. All of these are just a sampling of the bravery and commitment of the Public Safety Officers who protect and service the Roosevelt Island Community.

RIOC Parks and Recreation employees, Jamal Perry

Image of Deputy Chief Bryan, Mr. Perry and Chief Guerra From RIOC

and Nelson Soltran, who assisted the Public Safety Officers with the rescue of the male who jumped into the East River in an attempt of suicide, were given certificates of appreciation. We also promoted two Public Safety Officers to the rank of Detective.

Image of Deputy Chief Bryan (left), Captain Suarez (center), Chief Guerra(right) with newly promoted detectives Cabassa and Gilmore (next to Suarez) from RIOC

Several of our Board Members were in attendance, Michael Shinozaki, Faye Christian, Sal Ferrera and Howard Polivy. Two members of the NYPD were in attendance as well as RIOC Executive Staff, President, Leslie Torres, Vice President Operations, Fernando Martinez and Vice President General Counsel, Donald Lewis.

We want to thank the members of the Roosevelt Island Community who came out on such a beautiful day to support the dedication and commitment of all of our Officers.

Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance has more pictures of the Public Safety Department Commendation and Promotion Ceremony.

Report From RIOC President Leslie Torres - Roosevelt Island Fitness Day Bodies In Motion With Gilad, Public Safety Commendations, Free Mammograms, Bridge Testing Advisory & Happy Birthday

You Tube Video of Bodies In Motion With Gilad

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Lesie Torres sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

I want to kick off this week’s column by wishing a happy birthday to Carl Bradford, who has been a RIOC bus operator since 1979. We thank Carl, who celebrated his birthday last week, for his many years of service and continued hard work.

Public Safety Department’s Annual Commendation Ceremony

Every year in May, RIOC’s Public Safety Department hosts an Annual Commendation Ceremony to honor the courageous work of its uniformed officers, and to thank the community for its assistance in making Roosevelt Island a safe place to live. We encourage all of you to join us for this year’s ceremony on May 18 at 4:00 pm at the 591 Main Street Plaza.

Officers will be recognized for the exemplary jobs they have done on specific service calls in the past year. Among those receiving commendations will be Officers Julio Jiminez and Jonathan Martinez for helping to save the life of a man who had jumped into the East River in February. The Public Safety Department will also recognize RIOC groundskeepers Jamal Perry and Nelson Soltren who assisted in the rescue. Additionally, Officers Christian Gilmore and Michael Cabassa will both be officially promoted to the rank of Detective, and a Roosevelt Island resident will receive a special award for assistance given to the department in the last year.

As a part of National Police Week, the ceremony is our way of thanking our own law enforcement officers for the important work they do to serve and protect our community.

Day of Fitness with Gilad Janklowicz and Josh Taylor

On May 12 “Bodies in Motion” star Gilad Janklowicz and Spinning International Master Instructor Josh Taylor will be on Roosevelt Island for our Parks and Recreation Department’s first-ever Day of Fitness event. It’s free and open to anyone who wants to join the fun.

Janklowicz will lead two 45-minute Bodies in Motion classes on Firefighters Field – the first at 1:00 pm and the second at 2:15 pm. Each class will be followed by a meet-and-greet session. Meanwhile Taylor will lead two spinning classes in Sportspark’s ping pong room at 1:00 and at 3:00. Participants in the Day of Fitness can also sample Sportspark classes on Firefighters Field: Tango at 1:00, Zumba at 2:00, and Roosevelt Island Boot Camp at 3:00.

Each participant will get a water bottle and a t-shirt. For more information, please call (212) 832-4563 or (212) 832-4559.

Senator Serrano to Sponsor Free Mammograms on Roosevelt Island Day

Senator Jose M. Serrano will be sponsoring free mammogram screenings on Roosevelt Island Day – Saturday, June 9 – at the 591 Main Street Plaza from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Part of Project Renewal’s ScanVan Program, the screenings will be available for women 40 years of age and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. Please call 1-800-564-6868 for an appointment. The event is being co-sponsored by Council Member Lappin and Assembly Member Kellner. We thank all of the sponsors for this generous service.

Department of Transportation Testing the Roosevelt Island Bridge

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Division of Bridges plans to resume testing the newly rehabilitated Roosevelt Island Bridge beginning on Monday, May 7 at 10 am. Testing is expected to be finished on May 18.

As during previous testing periods, the bridge will be closed to all traffic for 15-minute intervals, between 10 am and 2 pm. Public Safety will do its best to keep traffic flowing during DOT’s testing.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Commendations and Promotions Ceremony - Congratulations and Thank You For Your Service

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra reports:

On Friday, May 13th the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department hosted it's 4th Annual Commendation/Promotion Ceremony at the 591 Plaza.

One of our very talented island resident's, Lauren Abdul, started us out by singing the Star Spangled Banner.

Officers Ingrid Veras,

William Dentone

 and Rodell Lindsey

 were promoted to the Rank of Sergeant. Officer David Vernet was promoted to Detective.

Officers Steven Cohen and Michelle Williams were presented awards with 20 years of Service to the Roosevelt Island Community.

Several of the PSD Officers received commendations in the categories of Excellent Service Award, Meritorious Service Award and Medal of Exceptional Merit. These commendations were given for a variety of different Calls for Service ranging from an arrest involving a firearm to assisting a young girl who broke the femur bone in her leg during one of the snow storms.

A special Award of Appreciation was also given to Charles Abdul for assisting the Public Safety Department in foiling a Vandalism Caper on the island.

Mr. Fernando Martinez, Vice President of Operations for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation commended the Officers for the wonderful job they do.

Officer Edwin Negron of the 114 Precinct Community Affairs Unit said a few words of praise and encouragement. He also commented on the great relationship we have in serving this community from a Law Enforcement perspective.

All in all, it was a wonderful ceremony and I thank the entire force for keeping this neighborhood one of the safest in the city.

Another officer {Kionna Wray - Updated 12:30 PM} was given a commendation for completing courses on sign language so she could better communicate with hearing impaired people and the officer provided those assembled with a brief demonstration.

 Congratulations to all the Public Safety Officers and thank you for your service.

More scenes from the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Commendations and Promotions Ceremony below.



The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Commendation and Promotion Ceremony was held last Friday starting at 5  PM which was the final day of National Police Week. In order to get greater participation by the Roosevelt Island community in next year's Commendation and Promotion Ceremony, perhaps RIOC will consider moving the date to Roosevelt Island Day when more members of the public are available to attend.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Commendations & Promotions Ceremony

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra sends the following message:

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department honored its members at the 3rd Annual Commendation / Promotion Ceremony. Several Officers were awarded Citations for a job well done. Officer Rivera was promoted to Detective and Mr. Claudio Cornetti

was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for assisting the Department with the apprehension of four Burglars, who also committed a Robbery & Assault. The 19th and 114th Precincts from the NYPD were represented on the Dais, along with RIOC President/CEO Stephen Shane. Several Roosevelt Island residents were on hand to commend the Officers.

Congratulations to PSD on a fine year where crime had declined on the island by 18%.