Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief
Kevin Brown usually meets once a month with members of the Roosevelt
Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) to
listen and discuss community issues and concerns.
This practice of the RIOC PSD Director meeting with the RIRA Public Safety Committee began in 2014 following discussions with former RIOC President Charlene Indelicato, former RIOC PSD Chief Jack McManus and RIRA PSC Chair Erin Feely-Nahem.
Chief Brown, who was Deputy PSD Chief under Chief McManus, has continued the practice of meeting with the RIRA PSC.
But not next month or afterwards either. RIOC has decided to discontinue meeting with the RIRA PSC.
During the January 17 RIRA PSC meeting, Chief Brown announced that he will no longer be meeting with the RIRA Public Safety committee. Instead, Chief Brown said that RIOC will be organizing it's own monthly in person Public Safety meeting at Good Shepherd Chapel.
This plan is another example of RIOC's new Vice President of Communications Akeem Jamal plan to have RIOC:
Other issues discussed at the January 17 RIRA PSC meeting include:
RIOC's plan to begin charging fees for disabled people to use the Motorgate Parking garage. Several residents have been told this will start in February but when Chief Brown was asked if it was true, he said he did not know.
Review of 2022 crime
Shoplifting at Duane Reade
Building Vertical Patrols
PSD Staffing Levels
Quality of Life problems at 460 Main Street affordable housing building
January Grand Larceny and Assault
Parking/Loading and Unloading
Here's the discussion from the January 17 RIRA PSC meeting with Chief Brown.
Yesterday, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton
Haynes, Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown and Assistant Vice President
of Communications Akeem Jamal:
Will RIOC comment on the sexual assault incident listed in PSD Incident
Report above?
What happened? Was there an arrest?
This incident will be of great concern to the Roosevelt Island community and
I want to make sure that the reporting is accurate.
Will RIOC comment on this matter?
Did not receive any response and followed up again this afternoon to RIOC
asking:
I’m following up on yesterday’s email below regarding a December 21
sexual assault at 540 Main Street reported in the PSD daily blotter.
This is of great concern to residents. Will Rioc provide information about
what happened including if there was an arrest?
Today, a NYPD Press Spokesperson told me they had no information on the
matter.
I’ve also asked several residents who usually know or can find out and they
had no info either.
At 4:14 pm today, RIOC sent out this advisory:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community,
This is an update in response to community inquiries concerning an alleged
sexual assault incident on 12/21/22 at 10:18 PM. Emergency Medical Services
responded to an unknown individual in the area of 540 main street. Upon
arrival, the individual on the scene declined to provide their information
and declined assistance from NYPD. After further investigation – there was
no police report filed, and the NYPD 114th precinct Detective Squad was not
notified of an act of sexual assault.
The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and NYPD take any allegations
of sexual assault or general wrongdoing seriously. Should you wish to make
an anonymous report, please get in touch with the NYPD Crime Stoppers tip
line at 800-577-TIPS or submit an
online tip.
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department
Upon reading the advisory, one resident asked:
How did this get on their blotter if nothing took place?
I try to give Chief Brown & PSD the benefit of the doubt on some
criminal activity but they continue to test us. And this Advisory tests
their credibility.
Does “... In the area of 540...“ mean In the Building Lobby? Near the Cultural Center Staircase? Poorly lit Dark Space Further down the road to the river?
Wondering who exactly called 911 if the victim didn’t?
540 Breezeway is hard for PSD to miss. Doubt any PSOs were out at that
crosswalk but is possible. Even when they are there they miss stuff...
And, most importantly, isn’t this the 2nd time this year this kind of assault was reported & nothing happened?
The PSD & RIOC have the responsibility to be transparent & report critical events related
to
the SAFETY of the PUBLIC. Chief Brown can remind us, at those Public Safety meetings &
other settings, how low the crime rate is & how safe we are ... But
they never send out or post some reminders about our personal safety.
RIOC's relatively new Vice President of Communications, Akeem Jamal, has made it extremely
difficult for the local Roosevelt Island media to obtain information about
important issues of concern to the Roosevelt Island community. In response to
a prior Public Safety incident last October, Mr Jamal replied to my
inquiry:
... In the event of community concern in the case of such an incident, RIOC
would work to advise the public should there be a need. In the future, if
you would like information regarding any incident or have other inquiries,
please submit a FOIL request.
This email serves as notice that RIOC will no longer respond to these
incidents or other matters unless a FOIL request has been submitted.
I've asked Mr Jamal why he refuses to answer press inquiries on issues of
concern to Roosevelt Island residents.
Mr Jamal's answer was:
RIOC wants to control the narrative.
Roosevelt Island public safety issues were discussed with RIOC PSD Chief Kevin
Brown during the December 22 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA)
Public Safety Committee meeting. Among the issues discussed were:
Very low crime rate on Roosevelt Island,
Shoplifting at Duane Reade,
Problems at the new Hudson Related Riverwalk Park affordable housing
building (Hudson Related is bringing in a social worker to try and solve
some of the problems among tenants),
Main Street Traffic and parking issues, including truck and bike
deliveries,
PSD staffing, two officers are joining NYPD,
Dog poop,
and more.
Watch the video of full meeting.
These meetings are open to the public to participate.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed a report about 311 odor complaints
Friday, saying he smells a lot of marijuana these days. The mayor’s odorous
observation came in response to a question about outdoor odor complaints
being at an all-time high.
https://t.co/AuvmQIROq2pic.twitter.com/Inva3yGnQQ
Many Roosevelt Island residents have been complaining recently about the smell
of marijuana prevalent on our public streets, in residential building corridors
and coming into their homes from nearby apartments.
During the August 16 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public
Safety Committee meeting, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Public Safety Department
(PSD) Chief Kevin Brown addressed the issue of marijuana smoking. According to
Chief Brown:
One quality of life issue that that I will talk about ...is marijuana
smoking. ...
I've had discussions with the Manhattan District Attorney's office, I've had
discussions with residents. Marijuana possession and smoking up to a certain
amount is not against the law. It is decriminalized.
We are constantly called to navigate the decriminalization of marijuana. We're
doing the best that we can. We are talking to the buildings, to the residents
and trying to keep a handle on this....
RIRA PSC Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem asked:
What area are you seeing the marijuana smoking?...
Chief Brown answered:
It's not prevalent on the promenades.
It's right on Main Street. The smoking is right in front of the buildings,
in the apartments.
No one's hiding from smoking marijuana, it's right out in the open.
We haven't had many complaints of any one smoking in the playgrounds or even
the parks. People are just smoking walking down the street...
Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso reported PSD is getting many complaints from
residents about marijuana smoking in nearby apartments.
Chief Brown added about marijuana smoking in the residential buildings:
It's not a Law Enforcement issue. It's almost like if we told somebody to put
out a cigarette in their building. They're not committing a crime or even a
violation.
Here's the RIRA PSC marijuana discussion with PSD Chief Kevin Brown.
Fox 5 New York
has the Do's and Don't of Weed use in NY State.
Earlier today a Roosevelt Islander Tipster reported yellow caution tape was blocking access to an area between the back of the Motorgate garage and FDNY Station on the waterfront promenade facing Queens and described it as a "crime scene".
I went to learn what happened and found NYPD officers
keeping people away from the blocked off area.
I was told " a major crime" was committed overnight in the area that was under investigation.
Later a NYPD spokesperson reported a 21 year old woman was raped in that area at approximately 2:00 this morning.
The NYPD spokesperson added that a "Good Samaritan" walking nearby spotted the woman lying on the ground asking for help. Her dress was pulled down. The woman was taken to Cornell Hospital. The investigation is ongoing. No additional information available at this time.
I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes and Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown for comment.
Will update if RIOC provides any information.
Last evening, August 16, Chief Brown met with the Roosevelt island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee to discuss a variety of issues.
Chief Brown repeated what he often says that Roosevelt Island is one of the safest communities in NYC. According to Chief Brown, during July there were 5 felonies on Roosevelt Island, 3 assaults, 1 Grand Larceny and 1 burglary.
Here's the full RIRA Public Safety Committee meeting discussion.
UPDATE 8/18 4:45 PM - According to Roosevelt Island Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown:
There has been some discussion within the community surrounding an alleged sexual assault that occurred on Roosevelt Island on or about August 17th. RIOC’s Public Safety Department and members of NYPD’s 114th Precinct conducted a thorough investigation into the matter and have determined that the claim was unfounded as there is no evidence that a crime has been committed; and the alleged victim has since recanted their story.
Today the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department played it right.
I had to leave for the airport at 4:40 in the morning. It was pitch black outside and 3 Ubers canceled on me.
I was waiting outside with 3 pieces of luggage and wanted an officer to be nearby just in case because there were just random cars driving by.
Although police cars were patrolling the Island, I didn’t see anybody near me for a few minutes. So I called the Public Safety Department and asked if they could send someone to hang around and patrol near Bread and Butter Deli until my car came and 1 minute later they sent an officer who stood nearby until my car arrived.
It meant a lot that they listened and made me feel safe.
I know they don’t have a great reputation at the moment, and I am usually very critical about them too, but just wanted to give credits when credits are due!
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown usually meets once a month with member of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) to listen and discuss community concerns.
During RIRA PSC June 21 meeting, Chief Brown discussed his belief in community policing and said:
... I truly, truly, truly believe in community policing. One of the premises of community policing
is coming together with the community and to listen, to have different ideas
and have a great way to proceed forward.
I welcome coming to this committee. I told somebody this today, my door is open. Anytime that anyone wants to speak
with with me or my deputy, our door is always open for for any comments, for any type of
dialogue or any type of meetings to have a great relationship with the community
and also to have a great change when it's necessary or needed...
Chief Brown discussed a variety of topics at the RIRA meeting including Public Safety Department staffing levels noting that the Public Safety Department is as close to full staff as they have been in a long time except for 2 Officers who recently resigned to join the NYPD.
Here's the full RIRA PSC meeting discussion with Chief Brown.
During June 11 2022 Roosevelt Island Day, RIRA President Rossana Ceruzzi and VP/PSC Co-Chair Erin-Feely-Nahem talked about the work RIRA does advocating for the Roosevelt Island community including the traditional bagels for Roosevelt Island Day.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
It’s almost time to reserve your tickets! Registration for the Roosevelt Island Fourth of July Family Fireworks Celebration will be opening, Wednesday, June 29th, at 12 PM for residents. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to register for advanced tickets. If any tickets remain, they will be released to the public on Friday, July 1st 12 PM.
How do I get resident access to tickets?
Residents must sign up for RIOC Advisories.
The resident access code will be posted via the Advisory system prior to the ticket registration period.
Unable to sign up? Stop into PSD Headquarters, valid island resident I.D. required, to get the resident code.
Event Information
FDR Four Freedoms State Park will host a limited-ticket viewing from 6 PM-10:30 PM:
Registration is required and will open to island residents on Wednesday, June 29th at 12 PM.
1,500 tickets are available for Four Freedoms Park.
You can register for up to FOUR (4) free tickets PER HOUSEHOLD using your name, address, and email address.
Only attendees with tickets will be allowed to enter Four Freedoms Park; no tickets will be available at the door.
Ticket holders MUST bring a digital or printed ticket with barcode to gain access to FFP.
No entry is permitted after 9 PM. Latecomers will not be admitted.
Southpoint Park will be closed for the day.
For an alternative way of viewing the fireworks celebration on Roosevelt Island, see details below:
The Cornell Tech campus lawn will be open and available to the public as a viewing location, starting at 12 PM:
No ticket is needed for access.
Entrance is first-come, first serve.
All visitors will be subject to airport-style security.
No entry is permitted after 9 PM. Latecomers will not be admitted.
All attendees who have NOT been vaccinated against COVID-19 are reminded to kindly wear a mask throughout the event.
Please be aware that upon any potential safety concerns or overcrowding, we reserve the right to limit access to Roosevelt Island and the fireworks viewing locations.
RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown discussed July 4 Fireworks Celebration preparations with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee during a June 21 meeting.
Chief Brown reported that:
Roosevelt Island residents will have one day advanced notice to register for 1500 available tickets to view the July 4 Fireworks at FDR Four Freedoms Park. Tickets usually are gone in the first 15 minutes,
Ticket holders will be searched before entering FDR Four Freedoms Park,
10 to 12 thousand people will be allowed on the Cornell Tech campus to view the fireworks. No tickets needed.
Security precautions are same this year as last year,
People will not be allowed to stay and view the Fireworks in Southpoint Park on their way to FDR Park and
Roosevelt Island residents will be able to drive over the Roosevelt Island Bridge after 3 PM to park their cars in the Motorgate Garage.
Q102 Bus - The Q102 will
not serve any stops on Roosevelt Island during preparation and viewing
for the Macys 4th of July Fireworks. Buses will operate in both
directions between 27th Ave at 2nd St. and Vernon Blvd. at 36th Ave.,
the last stop.
Roosevelt Island Red Bus
Will run on its weekday schedule
There will be no Octagon express bus
Citi Bike
There will be no Citi Bike stations available from Sunday, July 3rduntil Tuesday, July 5th.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) Shuttle
Will run from 6:00PM to 10:30PM from Tram Plaza to the east entry gate in Southpoint Park
Parking
Will be restricted in the following areas:
From the Meditation Lawn to 250 Main Street on the West side.
Around the entire Cornell Tech campus (North, South, East, and West Loop Roads).
The area in the vicinity of 250-281 Main Street.
Residents who need to park in Motorgate Garage should do so by 3:00PM
IMPORTANT TIMES
Between12 PM – 3 PMresidents will only be permitted to travel North bound from the helix and into the Motorgate.
The lawns at Cornell Tech open at12:00PM
Residents looking to park in Motorgate Garage should do so before3:00PM
From3 PM – 12 AMthere will be no vehicular traffic onto the island EXCEPT emergency vehicles.
FDR Four Freedoms State Park opens at6:00PM
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) shuttle will operate from6:00PM to 10:30PMfrom Tram Plaza to the east entry gate in Southpoint Park
No one will be admitted to either viewing area (lawns at Cornell Tech, Southpoint Park/FDR Four Freedoms State Park) after9:00PM
TheMacy’s 4thof July Fireworks Spectacularis anticipated to start at approximately 9:25PM
Earlier today, I asked RIOC:
The RIOC July 4 Advisory says that Southpoint Park will be closed.
Will it be open for FDR Park Ticket Holders to stay and picnic or watch the Fireworks at Southpoint Park?
Last year Southpoint Park was open for any of the 1500 FDR Park Ticket Holders.
... do you have any updates on the speed bumps.? A few days ago I was walking
on the sidewalk near 540 next to the pet store. Someone sped out of the Side
of the building and almost hit me. Today just about 30 minutes ago a older man
walking across the street near the elementary school was almost hit. When he
confronted the driver and asked him to be careful the driver got out of the
car and yelled at the elderly man. This issue needs to be corrected. Speed
bumps and give tickets. I have seen public safety give numerous tickets for
illegal u turns but never saw them stop people speeding or running through
stop signs.
Last March, another resident tweeted:
During 3/15 Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety committee
meeting,
@RIOCny Public
Safety Chief said speed “cushions”, not bumps or humps will be installed on
Main Street. No timetable given but expected soon. Watch video explaining
plan. https://t.co/XAiAVOwxAQ
At least one speed cushion was in place on the East Loop Road near the Cornell
Tech campus today. However, for some reason the
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp
(RIOC) placed the speed cushion in the bicycle lane, apparently to slow down
speeding bikes,
Why are speed cushions needed for Roosevelt Island bike lanes on East Loop road by @cornell_tech campus? Are bike riders going too fast in that area to create a safety issue for others? Seems unlikely.
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) May 10, 2022
TBH, I generally loath bikes and bikers in the city, both as a motorist and as a pedestrian. But in the south end of Roosevelt Island? Not so much. Haven’t seen cars drag racing down there either. Maybe save the money.
At at or about 6:10 PM on April 27, 2022 there were 15 children between ages
4 to 11 years old playing baseball in the company of five adults at Pony
Field when four residents of the Octagon building arrived at the same Pony
Field with four medium to large dogs and unleashed those dogs.
The adults accompanying the young children trying to play baseball
complained to the owners of the unleashed dogs with no luck. The dogs
started running towards the baseball balls.... this is the second
Wednesday in a row dog owners unleashed their dogs in the middle of kids
playing baseball.
Photo by Suzy del Campo Perea
Ms Perea adds that by the time PSD officers arrived, the dog owners with their
unleashed dogs were gone.
The subject of unleashed Roosevelt Island dogs was discussed during the April 19
Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee
(PSC) meeting with RIOC PSD Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso. According to Deputy Chief
Amoroso
We have such a 50/50 back and forth when it comes to dogs on the
Island. We get many complaints about the dogs. We get many complaints that we're not
showing the animals compassion, that we're not doing the right thing about
the dogs on the island.
For every one we get negative we get a positive one so it goes back and
forth. Obviously the rules and the regulations we have currently ... goes
without saying. Keeping your dog on a leash is just safe for the dog but
I've gotten numerous numerous calls about why the dogs are not allowed to
run on the fields
How cruel is that to dogs, how cruel can we be to the animals to not let
them be on the fields whereas I get calls that there's ten dogs on the field
what are we doing why aren't we enforcing it... we're enforcing the rules
and the rules right now are the dogs are not allowed on the fields, they're
not allowed to run, they need to be on leashes. Until that changes I know
some people are upset over that but those are the rules...
Watch the full RIRA PSC meeting discussion about Roosevelt Island dogs.
On April 27, RIRA Island Services Committee Co- Chair Raul Cavazos-Binder sent
the following message to RIOC President Shelton Haynes:
I am following up on the below correspondence that RIRA president, Rossana
Ceruzzi, addressed with you last year; the status of dog runs. As the
co-chair of RIRA's Island Services Committee, I have received countless and
increasing concerns when it comes to the state of the dog runs, and dogs
running freely off leash in our public green spaces because there is no
better alternative.
Many parents are highly concerned that children actively playing around off
leash dogs poses a serious safety hazard. Dogs owners are out of control and
have taken the sledding hill at South town as well as a portion of Blackwell
Park, the Pony field, Southpoint park, Cornell hills and open land. Many
children and adults have dog phobias and fear for their physical safety. In
the last two months two residents have been bitten and were seeking info
about the dogs’ owners and vaccinations on a local dog network since the
owners fled the scene in both cases.
It is completely out of control. Dogs off leash should not use any parts of
RI public land. The two dog run areas need to be upgraded/recreated as soon
as possible. As HR is bringing most of the dogs to the island, RI residents
feel they should at the very least “sacrifice” the land for it and maintain
it properly. A few years ago, an agreement was reached between RIOC and HR
about a new Dog Park to service the community. In that agreement HR promised
to build the dog run area near buildings 8-9. Is there any updates on that
agreement?
Please let me and Rossana Ceruzzi, cc'd here, know the status of the dog
runs as I believe previous discussions indicated that the newly
updated/refurbished dog runs would be completed by Q2 of 2022. If you could
give me an update by the end of the week, I would greatly appreciate it.
The "HR" referred to by Mr. Cavazos-Binder is Southtown building developer
Hudson Related.
On April 28, I asked Hudson Related developer David Kramer:
There is an increasing problem with Roosevelt Island dogs running unleashed in
Southtown at Firefighters Field and elsewhere. Dog owners claim current dog
run is inadequate. Other residents, including many dog owners are very upset
with those dog owners who keep their dogs unleashed. What is the status of the
long planned new dog run in Southtown? Is a new Southtown dog run
responsibility of Hudson Related or Rioc?
Mr Kramer replied:
We’re awaiting RIOC’s determination about where they want to place the new dog
run. If it’s going to be in Southtown, it’ll be in the Commons East area
between buildings 8 & 9, which we’re planning to build when we build
Riverwalk 9 (hope to start later this year). Alternatively, RIOC may have a
different location in mind.
This afternoon, RIOC advisory message quoted President Shelton Haynes:
Over the past few weeks, the Roosevelt Island Resident Association (RIRA)
President Rosanna Ceruzzi and I have been discussing a variety of items that
impact the lives of Roosevelt Island residents. Ms. Ceruzzi has made me aware
of growing concerns surrounding dogs that we plan to address immediately. Some
of the noted concerns were finding temporary solutions and discussing long
term plans for upgraded dog runs, developing a communication plan that would
place signs in specific areas known to be problematic, enforcement of policies
and stipulating the consequences for dog owners not adhering to clearly
defined rules and regulations. We will be working with RIRA’s subcommittees,
the Island Services and Public Safety committee and will convey next steps to
the Roosevelt Island community soon.
A group called the Roosevelt Island Dog Parents Association has started a:
Petition for New Roosevelt Island South Dog Run + Off-Leash Hours for
Firefighters Field
According to the Petition:
This petition has two aims: 1. To advocate for a new Roosevelt Island (RI)
South Dog Run and 2. To advocate for off-leash hours for Firefighter’s Field
to ameliorate the current lack of appropriate facilities.
The RI South Dog Run has been poorly maintained for years and has now become
a safety hazard for our pets; multiple dogs having sustained injuries due to
rocks, holes, or broken glass (for example, a puppy injured his dewclaw on a
rock and required surgical intervention, another cut his paw on glass,
another sprained an ankle due to a hole). Additionally, the run is now
completely composed of dirt and is essentially unusable in the setting of
rain, is too small and restrictive to even accommodate all dogs living in
this area or to allow for sufficient exercise for larger dogs, and has
inadequate shade for our animals during sunnier months. This situation has
been long-neglected and overdue for a solution, especially given the recent
crackdown by the Public Safety Department on dogs being present in
Firefighter’s Field (even leashed), despite this being contrary to official
park policy (https://rioc.ny.gov/397/Field-Rules).
Given the inadequate state of our dog facilities, we are also seeking
off-leash hours for Firefighter’s Field, before 9am and after 9pm. This is a
common policy throughout NYC parks, including Central Park (https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas) and can be subject to change if there are special events/games scheduled.
We realize that one of the major complaints of our pets in grassy areas is
that some owners do not follow the law and curb their dogs. We agree that
this is completely inappropriate; however, we believe it should be addressed
via improved surveillance and stricter enforcement of fines as opposed to
punishment of and restrictions placed on all dog owners.
We hope to work with you to continue to make Roosevelt Island a wonderful
place to live for dog-owners and non-dog-owners alike. Dog ownership is a
reality of our community and our animals need to be accommodated. Both of
the above requests come in the face of strikingly inadequate and dangerous
facilities for our animals. Please let us know when we can expect a new dog
park, and what immediate solution you plan to implement in the meantime.
The petition organizer, Jennifer Heinen adds:
As I have come to appreciate over the last seven years as a Roosevelt Island
citizen, some of the most magical things about living here are the amount of
plant life and natural beauty as well as the friendly, open, and vibrant
community. Based on NYC dog licensing data, there are approximately 782 dogs
living on Roosevelt Island as of July 2021 (this number has likely increased).
Having only two small dog parks in the face of these numbers seems drastically
inadequate; the unmaintained and dangerous state of the South Town Dog Run is
unacceptable. The island has a surfeit of green space compared to the rest of
NYC that can accommodate us all. We want a safe, adequately-sized area for our
beloved pets to play and exercise, just as parents do for their children. I
truly believe we are all capable of coming to a shared and reasonable
compromise that can allow us to live in harmony.
Roosevelt Island parent Rachel Dowling has a different view from Ms Heinen.
According to Ms Dowling:
So a Southtown dog owner has apparently started a petition to get RIOC to let
dog owners let their dogs off leash on Firefighter Field. She is claiming that
because the dog park is “not safe” the dogs should get use of the field until
the new dog park is eventually built.
Let’s be clear. Firefighter field is now destroyed and unsafe for kids and
adults to play sports BECAUSE Y’ALL KEEP RUNNING YOUR DOGS on a PERMITTED
PLAYING FIELD. I’ve also seen dogs taking a dump on said field after their
work out. If this petition was fairly and reasonably addressing the new dog
park I would support that. I think we all would. But off leash dogs are
destroying our playing fields from the Octagon to Firefighters, creating
unsafe confrontations with other dogs and players, not to mention joggers or
strollers or anyone else trying to enjoy the island.
We can’t be compared to Central Park where there is a much larger amount of
open space to work with. This is not the way folks.
Put your dog on a leash and take them for a run on the promenade. Or
petition RIOC to allow off leash hours down at South Point Park or up at the
Lighthouse park, where you’re not conflicting with playing fields and a
residential/commercial neighborhood.
Roosevelt Island resident Merchu Curutchet-Ziv explains the
longstanding problems at the Southtown Dog Run.
When I moved here about 8 years ago, we were a pretty nice group of people
that would gather in the dog run to share our love for dogs and watch them
play while we talked. It was actually very nice.
However, little by little, people started not taking their dogs into the run
because so many dogs got injured. The most horrific injury was one poor dog
that while playing with other dogs, got pushed, shoved into a broken fence
that pinched a big portion of her skin and as she tried to free herself, it
ripped a big chunk of her skin and fur clean from her body. Can you imagine
the pain? That dog took a long time to heal and was traumatized. And I have
no idea if that fence was ever fixed. This, I witnessed and it was the last
time I took my dog in there.
I also remember a few dogs breaking their nails catching it on the
splintered not maintained benches. The door into the run was broken so many
times - We would report it and were totally ignored. We were always trying
to fix it ourselves, with ropes or things that didn’t last too long but you
don’t want your dog to get out and run into the street. Once, there was rat
poison and a couple of dogs got very sick - not sure if it was accidental or
someone that hates dogs.
The ground was at times very wet and muddy, when dogs drink muddy water the
bacteria in it makes them very sick - my dog needed antibiotics for two
weeks. Humans without dogs would sometimes hang out at night and leave their
cigarettes butts and empty beer bottles and gross garbage. Which we would
then have to clean up, when we arrived to the run with our dog.
Yeah, some humans behave worse than any dog. Plus, anyone that knows the
real needs of a dog realizes that the size of that run is a joke. It is not
big enough for dogs to run and exercise. Unless you have a verrrrry mellow
toy breed. Overcrowded dog runs are a big problem. If dogs don’t have enough
space to run, it could cause them to feel invaded, intimidated, and as a
result aggression among them. That isn’t safe for anyone.
I would like someone to please take inventory of all the signs that say “no
dogs allowed on grass” in this island. They are all over!!! I would really
like to see some signs that say “dogs allowed” they are non existent. Maybe
I’m blind.
By the way, I’m a mom too so I can clearly see how my boys in this last 8
years have enjoyed plenty, plenty of space in the island to play freely,
skateboard and play many sports, in different parts of the island and in the
playgrounds too, without any injuries and I can’t say the same for my dog.
And actually, I lived in many neighborhoods in New York city and this one is
the one with more space, more trees, air, grass… etc. How come it is so hard
to share it and get proper space for our dogs?!
You know the way I deal with it? I take my dog to many, many, other dog runs
in different neighborhoods because I’m lucky to have a car. I go to LIC,
Brooklyn, Manhattan, and I’m amazed how big and decent those dog runs are in
comparison to ours. I don’t see why we can’t have a good dog run. I also
take my dog to Central Park during off leash hours. There should be a space
in this island to be able to do that too. Just a short off leash hours, not
in a sport’s field. If the options that were given to us were at least
better, but they are really, really bad.
By the way, it would be great to also get more tolerant non-dog owner
neighbors. Also, responsible dog owners that monitor their dogs well and
pick up their poop! There are poop bag dispensers everywhere - How hard
could that be? And please stop trying to make this about dog people vs kids’
people. I am proud to be both. It is not that hard to share, tolerate, put
yourselves in other people’s shoes in a civilized and kind way. And hey, If
you are blessed enough to have kids and dogs, ❤️ you are just awesome! We
are privileged to live in a neighborhood that has so much space.
The world has real problems. Trust me, this isn’t one that can’t be
resolved.
RIRA PSC member Frank Farance add:
At last week's Public Safety Committee meeting, there was a
discussion of dogs off their leash. Here are a couple insights,
suggestions, and conclusions:
Octagon residents are using the Octagon Pony Field as an
illegal "dog run" as a dozen dogs are unleashed and roaming
the whole field (presumably, pooping and peeing on it).
See the two photos, taken 60 seconds apart (time to turn the car
around for a better photo), where the dogs are in the Right
Field and 60 seconds later they're in the Infield - they're
roaming the whole field.
RIOC should remind Octagon that their residents need to
follow the law, and RIOC should remind Octagon that it can
enforce this as a violation of its ground lease (e.g., Article
23 Use and Management of the Premises, Article 34 Quiet
Enjoyment) and, I believe, the Master Lease (e.g., Article 18
Quiet Enjoyment).
Leashes are required AND required to be six feet
or SHORTER - long leashes are NOT permitted.
The fines are pretty high: ranging from $200 to $400
per violation of City law, $250 per violation of State law.
RIOC/PSD might not have the authority to enforce all the
dog-related rules. While RIOC can enforce the State law
(picking up poop), I believe RIOC/PSD needs approval to write
tickets for violation of City law - RIOC's legal department
should advise,
Each person who owns or controls a dog must remove any feces left
by that dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, or other public area
and dispose of it in a legal manner. The person may remove the
feces and carry them away with him/her for disposal in a toilet or
their own trash container or trash bag. The feces may also be
placed in a non-leaking sealed bag or container and deposited in a
DSNY litter basket. The provisions of this law do not apply to a
guide dog accompanying any blind person. Related Law: New York
State Public Health Law §1310 (Search for Public Health Law
(PBH), Article 13, Title 1: General Provisions; Control and
Abatement). Fine: $250
Control of Dogs & Other Animals to Prevent Nuisance
Each person who owns or controls a pet shall not allow the animal
to commit a nuisance on any public or private premises used in
common by the public, or any area of a building abutting a public
place. Related Law: New York City Health Code §161.03. Fine:
$200–$400
Unleashed Dogs
A person who owns or controls a dog may not allow it to be in any
public place or in any open or unfenced field abutting a public
place, unless the dog is effectively restrained by a leash or
chain no more than six feet long. Related Law: New York City
Health Code §161.05. Fine: $200–$400
UPDATE 9:05 PM - Watch the interesting and productive ISC meeting held earlier this evening moderated by Committee Co-Chair Raul Cavazos-Binder. The issues were discussed in a very intelligent and civil manner by Roosevelt Island residents holding a variety of viewpoints on the subject of dog runs and off leash running.
Like many Roosevelt Island residents, Bojana Zezelj is sick and tired of seeing dog excrement not being picked up all over Roosevelt Island. Ms Zezelj writes:
Does anyone have any ideas what to do about the horrendous amount of dog excrement all over the island? I am asking as a responsible dog owner who always picks up after her dog. But exactly because I do, I notice how many dog owners don’t bother. They leave it even in the middle of the sidewalk. I asked Public Safety more than once what they were doing about it, but they looked at me like I spoke Esperanto. They couldn’t care less. Not a single ticket has ever been issued on Roosevelt Island for the failure to clean up after a dog. The situation is getting out of control, we need to do something.
According to Lana, another responsible Roosevelt Island Dog Owner:
As a dog owner here, the amount of dog poop left on the sidewalks is
mind boggling. It is a very simple thing to do and the community even
provides bags and receptacles for everyone to use. This is such a lovely
community and as dog owners, it is our responsibility to clean up after
our dogs.
I’m super heated about this :) there is more poop here
than there was on the Upper East Side after snow. And that’s saying a
lot.
Another resident reported dog poop on Firefighters Field where kids play soccer and says:
We're going to do a better job in policing ... dog poop ...
it's illegal to to have these dogs uncurbed, ... if people don't pick up after their pets ... they're going to get summonses and that's the way it has to be because ... it's not a sanitary habit to just let your dog poop all over Roosevelt Island ... The word has been given from the top that anyone who is caught, it has to be something that's witnessed by an officer, they're going to get summonses
... it's something that that we are going to enforce...
Ms Zezelj adds:
I actually do have an idea. I would like to go around the island with a big bucket, take a photo of every pile of dog shit I see lying around, then put that dog shit in the bucket and once the bucket it full, deliver it to the RIOC office. If anyone is interested in filming me in action, let me know.
RIOC PSD has made previous promises to enforce dog owners cleaning up their dog's poop but the problem persists.
In 2013, Roosevelt Islander Online published an article about building management companies requiring dog owners to provide DNA samples for their dogs. That way a dog owner not cleaning up the poop could be identified and sanctioned in some manner. I suggested this to RIOC and of course they did nothing. Perhaps now is the time to try again and either RIOC PSD or individual building management could require Dog DNA samples in order to identify and issue summons or some other penalty for offending dog owners.
Here's how a St Louis apartment complex currently uses dog poop DNA to enforce owners cleaning up after their pets.
Can Dog Poop DNA work to clean up Roosevelt Island?
Chief Brown reports to the PSC about recent PSD activities and learns about
Roosevelt Island Public Safety concerns and issues from PSC members during
these meetings. The dialogue is valuable in keeping lines of communications
open between PSD and the Roosevelt Island community as well as an opportunity
for the community to hear the perspective of PSD on a variety of issues.
During last evening's March 15 PSC Committee meeting, Chief Brown reported:
PSD staffing is back to full staffing after suffering shortages due to
sickness from Covid 19,
4 PSD Officers were accepted into NYPD,
Recent assault at Manhattan Park between 2 friends,
Attempted Robbery At Subway Station
Homeless Situation,
Installation Of Speed Cushions, not Speed Bumps or Humps,
PSD Officers to issue summons for persons seen not picking up their dog's
poop,
Main Street Pedestrian/Bike/Vehicle Traffic Safety
A Roosevelt Island resident reported this morning:
What is the appropriate action to take for people who are living in the
Roosevelt Island Subway station? There were people camped out on both
platforms. I was surprised to see an entire set up with a mattress at the
platform today. They were sleeping and didn’t bother anyone. However we had a
very erratic person screaming and shouting on the platform frightening all the
school children this morning. There was no public safety in sight. How do we
get more regular monitoring at our station?
I counted no less than ten TEN!!! this morning. The subway has sadly become a mobile homeless shelter. Besides the fact that these individuals are taking up space in the cars during prime rush hours (yes they are full during certain hours) there is the public health aspect. One individual was laid out on bench soaked in urine. Unhealthy. The Mayor announced a lot of plans but we see no execution.
Unlike the NYC shelter system, people find this relatively clean and safe. It’s really sad when this is your best option in a city with a budget surplus of almost one billion dollars. NYC desperately needs much more supportive, low-income housing.
this is not a MTA or NYPD issue. This is a Humanitarian issue not being addressed. These are human beings displaced by the rising cost of living in NYC. We need real solutions that don’t stigmatize the homeless.
The issue of homeless people in and around the Roosevelt Island subway station
was discussed during the February 15 Roosevelt Island Residents Association
(RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Kevin
Brown. According to Chief Brown:
... there were a few homeless in the subway system. We got a few
complaints of some of the homeless harassing residents in the subway system
which we are working with NYPD and they have promised they're going to step up
their patrols in in the subway. We have received a number of complaints
and we are actively addressing it. We have our patrols. We don't patrol inside
the station. That's the MTA and NYPD, but
outside the station we do patrol outside of the station ...
RIOC PSD Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso said:
... I was speaking to a couple of the transit officers down in the subway within the last week about the homeless sleeping down there. They are one thousand percent about allowing them to
keep warm type of shelter and as long as they're not harassing anybody down there they're all for
really trying to accommodate them to the best of their ability and not throw them into the cold.
Most of them do not want homeless services. They don't want to go to the hospital. You want to be very compassionate. If they're not committing any crimes,
allowing them to keep warm and allowing them to to have bathroom facilities. It's something
that they're all for. I did have a conversation with a couple of the transit
officers down there and if they're not committing any crimes they really do not want to push them away and put them in a worse condition...
Here's the RIRA Public Safety Committee meeting discussion of the Roosevelt Island homeless issue.
A Roosevelt Island parent shares these concerns:
It has been relayed to me that the Roosevelt Island Subway Station does not have enough cameras for PSD/NYPD to monitor what is going on. Beyond the homeless situation this is extremely concerning given the number of threats that MTA gets. I think we as a community need to demand this is fixed asap because if anything does happen on the platform we need to know there will be a record of it.
People living in the Roosevelt Island Station: As you reported on your Instagram we have people who have taken up living in the station. Although I personally have not seen them do anything harmful I think it causes 2 issues:
a. It encourages more people to come to this station which could lead to a larger issue. As another parent reported her children have been subjected to seeing them urinate on the tracks in the morning on the way to school.
b. There are so many random bags and belongings lying around that it is hard to tell if something is a random item that has been left at the station that we should report or not. As someone who is accutely aware of subway threats this stuff lying around is triggering.
The person who was acting extremely erratic this morning at 7am was apparently taken away by PSD around 7:30am but by the time i got back to the island around 8am they were back at the station shouting at people. This is a larger issue with the law and there being no consequence for disorderly behavior. I'm not sure what we do here but I have tried doing what I can as a private citizen to report and I hope you article provides encouragement for more people to report this in real time. Also if your article could clarify the steps people should take (call PSD, call 311, etc) that might be helpful since figuring out the steps to take is not easy or clear.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the Subway Safety Plan,
which lays out how his administration will begin addressing public
safety concerns and supporting people experiencing homelessness and
serious mental illness on New York City’s subways. The plan includes
comprehensive investments in short- and medium-term solutions, including
expanded outreach teams with New York Police Department (NYPD)
officers and clinicians, additional housing and mental health
resources, and outlines long-term systems improvements through changes
to state and federal laws to connect more New Yorkers to the care they
need. A key component of the plan will also direct NYPD personnel to
assist in enforcing certain subway rules, such as sleeping across
multiple seats, exhibiting aggressive behavior to passengers, or
creating an unsanitary environment....
... What should I do if I see an individual or a group of individuals that
appear to be street homeless?
For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they
believe to be homeless and in need should contact 3-1-1 via phone or mobile
app and request outreach assistance. You should call 911 if the individual
appears to pose an immediate risk to themselves or others or there is
criminal activity.
What happens when I call 311 to report a homeless New Yorker in need of
assistance?
Individual calls 311 and a Service Request (SR) is created
SR is evaluated and assigned to a service provider or a partner Agency,
like NYPD, as needed
If assigned to a service provider, outreach team is dispatched within an
hour of receiving the request
Service provider outreach teams attempt to locate that individual and if
found directly engage the individual, assess for safety and encourage them
to accept services and transition off the streets.
How do outreach teams engage a homeless New Yorker in need of assistance?
Experienced outreach teams from not-for-profit service providers canvass the
five boroughs 24/7/365 as part of our citywide effort to identify and engage
individuals who may be homeless, encourage them to accept services, and
ultimately help them transition off the streets. Additionally, DHS performs
joint outreach operations with community stakeholders and Agency partners,
including the NYPD, the Parks Department, the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, and the Department of Transportation to utilize each Agency's
expertise, engage more New Yorkers, and offer more supports. Outreach teams
have helped approximately 2,000 homeless New Yorkers off the streets citywide,
thanks to new investments and a doubling of the size of those teams.
UPDATE 10 PM - This Roosevelt Islander Instagram comment expresses what many fear:
There's too many of them. Im sorry if this sounds insensitive but I don't want to worry about being pushed into the tracks or harassed. I don't want to worry if the guy mumbling is going to do something crazy. The island continues to have garbage everywhere. I don't know what the solution is but its not the subway. Mental health is a serious problem for a lot of them . The new guy that sits in the station is always drinking and was passed out on the stairs the other day. I wasn't sure if he was alive.
UPDATE 1/19:
You have my word as your Mayor: Protecting New Yorkers is my top priority.
We're not going to let a humanitarian crisis continue to unfold on our subways. We will keep them safe and make sure our homeless brothers and sisters have the dignity they deserve. pic.twitter.com/65HLpBRR9f
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
