Roosevelt Island Is One Of Safest NYC Communities But Package Theft Popping Up During Holiday Season Says RIOC PSD Chief To RIRA Public Safety Committee Meeting - Only 12 Roosevelt Island Felonies Thru November, Watch Discussion Of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Issues

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown regularly attends meetings of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) chaired by Erin Feeley-Nahem continuing the community policing policy practices established by former PSD Chief Jack McManus.

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.

Chief Brown told the December 21, 2021 RIRA PSC meeting attendees:

... I believe that this is one of the safest communities in New York  City. The crime stats say that this is one  of the safest communities in the city. 

We had one grand larceny and two assaults for three  crimes for the month of November and for the year  we've had 12 felonies ... which means that the numbers in our  community are are very very low...  

... The one thing that is popping up on the Island are packages being stolen during the Christmas season....

pic.twitter.com/oTudKQwqsc

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 29, 2021

Among the issues discussed at the December 21 RIRA PSC meeting with Chief Brown were:

• Dangerous streets, potholes and sidewalk conditions,
• Bike Safety Signage and Placement,
• Delivery Packages Left In Building Lobbies Being Stolen
• Building Vertical Patrols
• Homeless living in Motorgate
• Will PSD Enforce Mask Mandate For Roosevelt Island Store Employees
  
• Issuing Summons For Street U Turns
  

Below is the current staffing, hiring process  and employment training orientation for the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

Contact RIRA PSC Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem for more info or to attend a future meeting.

Take The Roosevelt Island Bike Safety Survey, Tell RIOC Your Views About About Bicycle Safety, Signage, Lanes, Ramp & More - Should Street Parking Be Removed For Bike Lane

 The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is seeking your answers for a Bike Survey.

                                                                     Image From RIOC Bike Survey

According to RIOC:

Give us your Feedback! 

After a successful Bike Safety Town Hall, we would like to present the community with the first Roosevelt Island Bike Survey. This survey was designed to collect opinions from the general public and bicycling community of Roosevelt Island regarding their uses of and feelings about cycling, safety, signage, resources, and education. To fill out the survey,,,

The questions in the survey include: 

• How often do you ride a bike outside?  
• What is your general opinion regarding cyclists? 
• Why do you bike? 
• Do you feel that the relationship between drivers and bicyclists on Roosevelt Island has gotten better, worse or remains the same over the past year? 
• Do you think motorized bikes/scooters are a safety concern on Roosevelt Island? 
• What additional bike signage would you like to see on Roosevelt Island? 
• Where would you like to see additional bike signage on Roosevelt Island? 
• Do you think some street parking should be removed to facilitate bike lanes on Roosevelt island? 
• Where would you most like to see bike lanes on Roosevelt Island? 
• How safe do you feel riding your bike across the Roosevelt Island Bridge? 
• How interested are you in a separate bike ramp at the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix?

Take the Roosevelt Island Bike Survey here and watch the October 29 Bike Safety Town Hall here. 

More info on Roosevelt Island bike safety issues at these prior posts.

Wow, Responsible Riders Follow Roosevelt Island Bike Signage Around Blackwell Turnaround Instead Of Going Against One Way Traffic On Manhattan Side - Resident Suggests Painting Bike Lane Green For Visual Direction Cue

Today, spotted one of few times riders followed Roosevelt Island No Bike signage

and went around Blackwell Turnaround to Queens side of Main Street instead of going against traffic on Manhattan side of Main Street.

View this post on Instagram

Wow. One of few times riders followed Roosevelt Island No Bike signage and went around Blackwell Turnaround to Queens side of Main Street instead of going against traffic on Manhattan side of Main Street.

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Sep 6, 2020 at 4:08pm PDT

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reacts:

Responsible bikers ❤️ For the ones not so experienced, we need to paint a green bike path for a visual cue. Also, the bike lanes should start at each @CitiBikeNYC station leading to the main lane—-“Follow the Green Brick Road”. pic.twitter.com/kLjfLNUl54

— Love Not Hate (@ieh_nyc) September 6, 2020

The signs are not easily visible. There is no map at the @CitiBikeNYC stations showing where and how to bike on our island. We need dedicated bike lanes with large markings on the street.
It is easy, just look how it is done elsewhere in bike-friendly cities.

— Thierry Rolling (@T19R84) September 7, 2020

They worked this time. First time I ever saw it

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 6, 2020

RIOC Installs New Roosevelt Island Bike Safety Signage After Speeding Rider Hits Baby Stroller With 6 Month Old Inside - Baby Bruised But OK, Could Have Been A Tragedy Say Mom Who Suggests Safe Rules For Bikers And Residents To Coexist

As reported June 18:

During June 2 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee video conference meeting, I asked:

Residents have been concerned over the increased number of bike riders, mostly appears to be visitors, riding on sidewalks and waterfront promenade creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians, including elderly and kids.

What can RIOC do about creating safe sidewalks and pathways. Signage is not enough. Will PSD officers be stationed outside to monitor safe bike riding.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal answered that RIOC is putting together a team with the Public Safety Department and Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Interim President David Lawson to find a solution for bicycle riding safety issues including signage and striping the Promenades for separate bike and pedestrian sections.

The problem of unsafe bicycle speeding, riding on sidewalks and against traffic on Roosevelt Island continued during the summer without much visible action taken by RIOC to prevent such practices. Until, a Roosevelt Island Mom reported on Twitter earlier this week:

Today at Blackwell park on #rooseveltisland a local teen riding his bike quickly/recklessly down the walkway HIT my 6 mo old baby’s stroller, flipping it face 1st onto the concrete. This could have been a tragedy. I have 3 ideas for @RIOCny @SheltonHaynes3 ... pic.twitter.com/ut4CSLAVpg

— KMinNYC (@KMinNYC) July 29, 2020

2) #rooseveltisland needs clearly marked bike lanes around the island and on Main Street - the area near Cornell & South Point park is a great start, it just needs to be extended. This is a win-win-win for bikers, pedestrians & cars! @RIOCny @SheltonHaynes3

— KMinNYC (@KMinNYC) July 29, 2020

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