Showing posts with label delivery person. Show all posts
Showing posts with label delivery person. Show all posts

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Roosevelt Island Mentioned By John Oliver In March 31 Last Week Tonight Program Segment About Food Delivery Apps - RI Resident Orders Single Slice Of Cake From Upper East Side And Does Not Tip Bicycle Delivery Worker

Several Roosevelt Island residents reporting about a segment on the March 31st HBO program Last Week Tonight With John Oliver which mentioned Roosevelt Island . According to one Tipster:

On Last Week Tonight On HBO, John Oliver’s main story was on delivery apps among other things, and the poor to no tipping practices of folks ordering & expecting deliveries. One brief segment showed the Route taken by one delivery person from Manhattan, over the bridge to LIC to the 36th Ave bridge, onto RI south of the bridge, all to deliver a single piece of cake — and for which the person received No Tip ... And for which the cake-recipient seemed to have no shame ...

Here's the segment.

The Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island cake slice delivery with no tip incident occurred in 2021 and reported on here at the time.

On April 1:

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced that, effective immediately, the city's minimum pay rate for app-based restaurant delivery workers is increasing to at least $19.56 per hour before tips. The $19.56 rate reflects the 2024 phase-in rate of $18.96 and an inflation adjustment of 3.15 percent – up from an average of just $5.39 per hour before enforcement began. When the rate is fully phased-in on April 1, 2025, workers will earn at least $19.96 per hour with an adjustment for inflation. Since DCWP began enforcing the minimum pay rate in December 2023, apps have paid the city's delivery workers $16.3 million more per week across the workforce – an increase of 165 percent – totaling an additional $847.6 million annually.

"Our delivery workers have consistently delivered for us – and today the city is delivering for them," said Mayor Adams. "I was raised by a working mother who supported my five siblings and me, and there are thousands of delivery workers doing the same to support themselves and their families. And while wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, since the new pay rate has been enforced, delivery workers have already seen a 165 percent increase in their pay per week. This is what it looks like to stand with working-class New Yorkers and build a fairer economy."...

Be a decent person and tip well.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:38:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Doordash Resumes Food Delivery Service To Roosevelt Island Thanks To Request From Local Resident And Constituent Services From NYC Council Member Julie Menin Working With Department Of Consumer And Worker Protection - Local Restaurant Helped Too

Here's an example of NYC Council Member Julie Menin providing constituent service to a Roosevelt Island resident, helping a local business and working with the municipal bureaucracy to solve a problem and improve the food delivery quality of life on Roosevelt Island.

As reported May 16, Roosevelt Island resident Theo Wolf:

... asked why DoorDash is no longer making food deliveries to Roosevelt Island:

  ... Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin is looking into the matter:

It appears Doordash is no longer delivering to Roosevelt Island because of recently enacted NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) third party delivery app regulations....

On June 9, a spokesperson for Council Member Menin provided an update about Roosevelt Island DoorDash delivery:

Great news! We got an email from DCWP and they said said they fixed the rules so that certain bridges and tunnels are not considered out of the way ie. Roosevelt Island Bridge. So you should be getting deliveries again without issue.

And Ms Menin added:

Roosevelt Islanders have a limited selection of take-out and restaurant options, and my office made it a priority that the rules were amended to take into account Roosevelt Island’s unique situation. I’ve been actively working with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to make sure that Roosevelt Islanders have access to eateries off the island. I applaud DCWP for correcting this rule that left Roosevelt Island isolated.

Today, Ms Menin tweeted that Doordash has resumed delivering to Roosevelt Island.

 Theo Wolf is happy to learn that DoorDash resumed food delivery to Roosevelt Island:

That's incredible news! Thanks so much for looking into this, and what incredible work by Julie Menin getting this resolved so quickly. It's such a testament to the importance and power of local journalism and local government. It may seem like a small thing, but I know a lot of Roosevelt Islanders were adversely affected by this change, which made the island feel all the more cut off from the rest of the city. Plus I know Zhongzong was really hurting from this, so I hope this helps them out! 

What should Roosevelt Island ask Ms Menin for help with next?

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:50:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, May 16, 2022

Residents Ask Why DoorDash No Longer Making Food Deliveries To Roosevelt Island? NYC Council Member Julie Menin Working To Ensure New Food Delivery App Regulations Do Not Exclude RI Residents From Getting Restaurant Deliveries

A Roosevelt Island resident recently asked why DoorDash is no longer making food deliveries to Roosevelt Island:

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin is looking into the matter:

It appears Doordash is no longer delivering to Roosevelt Island because of recently enacted NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) third party delivery app regulations.

According to a January 23, 2022 statement from the DCWP: 

Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Peter A. Hatch announced that, starting tomorrow, third-party food delivery apps will be required to have a DCWP license to operate in New York City. This law is the first part of a suite of new sweeping legislation regulating online third-party food delivery apps and enforcing brand new labor standards for delivery workers.... 

... Starting April 22, 2022, third-party food delivery apps must: 

  • Allow food delivery workers to set limitations on distances they will travel from restaurants and which bridges or tunnels they are unwilling to use;...

DoorDash submitted this comment to the DCWP on regulation regarding delivery workers traveling over Bridges:

Concern: Section 7-806(c) of the proposed rule requires that a third-party food delivery service or third-party courier service make available a selectable list of 34 NYC bridges and tunnels for purposes of providing workers with ability to set their bridge and tunnel preferences. While DoorDash appreciates the rule clarifying the specific bridges and tunnels that are subject to the preference requirement, we do not believe there is any policy rationale for requiring a third- party food delivery or third-party courier service to list bridges and tunnels that would never be crossed as part of any trip offered by the service and, therefore, never implicate a worker’s bridge or tunnel preference. Listing bridges and tunnels for which crossings would never occur creates additional implementation burdens, implies to workers that certain trips do in fact cross those bridges or tunnels, and negatively impacts worker experience by requiring them to make selections that are superfluous. 

Recommendation: The final rule should make clear that, out of the 34 identified NYC bridges and tunnels, a third-party food delivery or third-party courier service must only make available for selection those bridges and tunnels over which a crossing may actually occur as a result of a trip offered by the service.

UberEats added this comment to the DCWP on the Third Party Delivery App regulation with specific reference to the Roosevelt Island Bridge:

... Delivery Distance and Route (b) and (e): Requires couriers be allowed to set and update their preferred bridges and tunnels and their maximum distance parameter and preferences. This provision as proposed risks cutting off entire communities from accessing reliable food delivery and thus being inconsistent with the intent of the local laws...

... to the extent any rules are proposed on this issue, they should exclude crossings whose inclusion may have the effect of cutting off communities, contrary to the intent and purpose of the local law. To give just a couple of many illustrations of the problem, included in the list of bridges that could be encompassed within the scope of the proposed rule are considering are the Grand Street Bridge, which is less than 200 feet long, the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge which is a two minute walk, and the Roosevelt Island Bridge, which is 0.3 miles long and connects more than 11,000 residents to Queens. By requiring companies to allow workers to opt out of deliveries over these bridges, the proposed rules would create significant operational challenges for the companies and potentially dramatically restrict the ability for consumers to order from within their own communities, while not addressing issues that were behind the intent of the bill. Granting couriers the ability to categorically opt-out of specific access points may adversely impact underserved communities. To name just one example, Roosevelt Island Bridge is the only access point for the residents who live there to get deliveries and there are only a few restaurants on the Island. ...

Ms Menin is asked about any progress getting DoorDash to resume delivering to Roosevelt Island:

Ms.Menin answers:
After hearing from constituents, my office reached out to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protections (DCWP) in order to ensure that food delivery apps would continue to service Roosevelt Island residents under the new delivery app regulations. After speaking with my office, DCWP is now aware of the problem and has promised amendments to the final rules that ameliorate this issue. We emphasized to DCWP that Roosevelt Island is unique due to the limited number of restaurants on the island and that including the Roosevelt Island bridge with other bridges could lead to devastating service reductions for Roosevelt Islanders. This issue affects many island communities and I look forward to partnering with DCWP to ensure that Roosevelt Islanders are not negatively impacted.

Uber Eats and GrubHub delivery workers are still traveling over the Roosevelt Island Bridge delivering food to Roosevelt Island residents.

It is unclear why DoorDash has stopped delivering to Roosevelt Island.

But NYC Council Member Julie Menin is continuing to work on the issue.

Stay tuned for updates.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:38:00 PM 0 comments

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Thursday, May 12, 2022

Video Snippet Shows Frightened Fritos Delivery Person Handcuffed And Detained By Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers Last Saturday At Bread & Butter Deli In A Dispute That Began Over Parking Spot - What Really Happened?

A Roosevelt Island Tipster reported last Saturday evening May 7:

Have you heard anything about an encounter this morning, between our PSOs and someone making a delivery to the Deli, that included the PSOs handcuffing the delivery person because they were “illegally parked” — or more likely couldn’t find a “legal” parking spot?

Another Tipster provided this brief video clip showing a portion of the interaction between a Frito Lay truck delivery person and 3 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Officers that took place at the Bread & Butter Deli Saturday morning approximately 10:15.

The May 7 RIOC Public Safety Report describes the incident as follows: 

05/07/22 – 0950 – 579 Main Street – Disorderly Conduct – PSD responded – Summonsed issued.

On Sunday morning May 8, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) PSD Chief Kevin Brown:

A resident informed me of an alleged incident at the Bread & Butter Deli of PSD officers roughing up and handcuffing a delivery person. Is that true? Also, the incident started because the delivery person was illegally parked. Is that true? Does RIOC have any comment on this important issue of community concern?

I also asked Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Rossana Ceruzzi and Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem if they knew anything about this incident. Both Ms Ceruzzi and Ms Feeley-Nahem have an extensive record of monitoring and investigating allegations of improper behavior by the Roosevelt Island PSD while maintaining an open dialogue and good relationship with the PSD leadership. Neither had heard of the incident but promised to immediately look into it and contact PSD Chief Brown. {Correction and update, Ms Feely-Nahem was aware of the incident at this time, Ms Ceruzzi was not}

I followed up on Monday with a second email to Chief Brown:

I’m following up on yesterday’s email below about the PSD incident with female delivery driver at the Bread/Butter Deli. 

I want to be accurate in reporting what happened and give PSD’s side of the story. 

Will Rioc respond with a statement on the incident?
Later on Monday I saw Chief Brown on Main Street. He told me a response to my questions would be coming from RIOC later that day.
 
On Monday evening, RIOC sent out an email advisory saying:
Subject: Parking Incident

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) takes all public safety incidents of this nature very seriously and we will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. A preliminary review of the incident has been conducted, however we will continue to review all allegations/complaints, along with any additional video footage.

I followed up asking Chief Brown:
Was there any arrest, summons or ticket issued to the driver in this incident?
There was no reply.

Yesterday, May 11, based upon my understanding of the incident at that time, I asked Chief Brown:
I am preparing an article to be published today about the incident at the Deli on Saturday Morning between the Frito Lay Delivery person and PSD Officers.

In the interests of accuracy and timely informing the Roosevelt Island community of an important issue of concern, I am sending you my understanding of what happened. If it is incorrect or needs clarification please let me know.

My understanding of the Bread & Butter Deli incident Saturday morning at about 10 AM is as follows.

The female Delivery Driver initially parked her vehicle on Main Street next to the barrier in front of the Deli. A PSD Officer told her to move the vehicle to 560 breezeway which she did.

The Delivery Driver entered the Deli and was making her delivery.

Shortly thereafter, at least 3 PSD Officers entered the Deli and instructed the Delivery Driver to move her Truck out of the 560 Breezeway to somewhere else.

She asked the Officers to let her finish the deli delivery before moving the Truck. The PSD Officers refused to allow her to finish the deli delivery and told her to immediately move the Truck. The delivery driver did not immediately exit the deli to move her truck.

The incident then escalated to what is shown in the video. 3 PSD Officers roughly handcuffing the delivery Driver and shoving and pressing her against the Deli refrigerator.

At least 4 other PSD Officers were nearby outside the deli entrance.

The Delivery Driver was taken to PSD offices in handcuffs and placed in a holding cell for approximately 40 minutes before being released.

The Delivery Driver was issued a summons for disorderly conduct. Were there any other charges? Was there an arrest?

The Deli owners believe RIOC PSD is discriminating against them in not allowing their Delivery Drivers to park nearby while at the same time allowing delivery drivers for other stores the courtesy of parking nearby.

Does RIOC dispute this account of what happened?

Also, did a PSD Officer threaten to use a Taser on the delivery person if she did not comply?

In the interest of accuracy and informing the Roosevelt Island community of what happened, will RIOC comment on the circumstances of this incident.

Thank you.
No answer but later that day I saw Chief Brown who told me there were errors in my understanding of the incident. He added that he would like to comment but was waiting for approval by RIOC President Shelton Haynes. 

Still no reply as of this evening.

More information has come to light in the last 24 hours. Based upon knowledgeable sources, this is what appears to have happened.

The Frito Lay truck (This picture is not from May 7 Incident)

delivery person is relatively new working on Roosevelt Island. On Tuesday, May 3, she parked the delivery truck by the portable metal barrier on Main Street in front of the Bread & Butter Deli.
A Public Safety Officer told the driver she could not park in that area and instructed her to park in the 576 Breezeway (also known as 560 Breezeway) which she did.

Upon returning to Roosevelt Island on Saturday morning May 7, she parked the delivery truck in the 576 Breezeway where she had previously been told by Public Safety Officers to park. It was raining as she completed unloading her deliveries from the truck. A Public Safety Officer approached her and told her to move the truck from the 576 Breezeway. She asked to be allowed to bring her deliveries across the street to the Bread & Butter Deli before moving the truck. What happened next is unclear but she did not move the truck.

As she entered the deli with her deliveries, the 3 PSD Officers followed her inside and called for back up from other Officers. The confrontation shown in the video soon began.

According to a statement today from RIRA Public Safety Committee Chairs Erin Feely-Nahem and Shirley Coley:

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee (RIRA PSC) is carrying out independent, detailed inquiries into an apparent case of Public Safety Department (PSD) harassment and abuse, under the direction of recently promoted Lt. Barry Hazelwood and a team led by Officer Brian Ortiz against a part-time delivery worker, Tonnek Greene, who was doing her job under the difficult and stressful circumstances of Main Street traffic congestion and limited parking, for the Bread and Butter deli, during rainy conditions. 

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), which is the “civic” authority over the PSD, issued a brief, anodyne statement that also pledges “to conduct a thorough investigation,” evidently after a “preliminary review” conducted internally, that was not made public. PSD Chief Kevin Brown has also committed to an investigation in discussions with RIRA PSC leaders. We welcome this and expect transparency, objectivity, and justice. 

Nevertheless, RIRA PSC has no intention of deferring to the RIOC or PSD investigations as we responsibly carry out our independent inquiries and interviews in the interests of Roosevelt Island residents, workers, and visitors, but hope we can reach amicable solutions together. 

We are convinced that the facts revealed so far, including limited video footage, and witness accounts that were brought to our attention, and will be documented, as well as simple common sense, strongly indicate that this young Black woman was harassed, then manhandled while doing her job delivering food commodities to a prominent Island business. The PSD detained in a cell this humiliated and traumatized worker, who says that over the course of the day’s events had urinated on herself. 

The escalation demonstrated by the Officers was not what Roosevelt Islanders expect from Community Policing, and we believe the concrete circumstances resulted in an unacceptable crossing over the line into law enforcement abuse and violence. In no way can this be justified as “anti-crime.” This was anti-worker harassment, and subsequently Ms. Greene has been issued a criminal court summons for “disorderly conduct” and a traffic court violation VTL 1102, charging her with failure to comply with the lawful order of a Peace Officer, all because she parked in the breezeway spot that she had been directed to park in during her prior delivery to Roosevelt Island by Public Safety Officers, and during this last delivery, when asked to move the truck she was unable to do so at that moment as the delivery and product had already been removed from the truck and were on the ground, and could have been stolen if she left them unattended. 

We believe that the escalation of this incident could have been avoided. A parking violation, which is not endangering other motorists, doesn’t warrant this extreme reaction. Abusive actions and unjustified violence must have consequences!

Stay tuned. Will update when more information become available. 

It would be very helpful if RIOC would publicly comment on their version of the event. 

UPDATE 9:25 PM - RIRA Public Safety Committee member Frank Farance has a different perspective on the deli incident. According to Mr Farance:

I've heard about an incident last Saturday involving a Frito Lay truck driver and Public Safety Officers, including a 12-second video that appears to show three Public Safety Officers, surrounding the driver in the back aisle of Bread and Butter Deli, you can hear the driver say "I am a woman" and "You can't lock me up for this", and PSD officers saying "Stop! Stop! I'm telling you to stop!".  It appears they are facilitating an arrest with handcuffs.

The incident involved the parking of the delivery truck and PSD's request to move the truck to a different spot in the 560 breezeway.  The driver did not comply, PSD arrested the driver, and she was let go later.  My understanding is that the whole event lasted about 40-60 minutes from start to finish.

I disagree with the reporting from the RIRA Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Erin Feely-Nahem and Shirley Coley, and I'm disappointed in the discussion that occurred at Wednesday's (May 11) RIRA Common Council meeting, as there seemed to be a group-think and an unwillingness to understand logically what did and might have happened.  The statement issued by the RIRA PSC Co-Chairs is early for the kind of confidence expressed in their reporting when there is still much to be understood.

I am interested in a fair, unbiased, informed, and complete (to the extent practicable) understanding of what happened, and to make appropriate recommendations.

One area of long-time concern is a split within the RIRA Public Safety Committee on direction.  Surely, most everyone can agree there were problems with residents and visitors being gratuitously arrested, many with excessive force, when Keith Guerra was PSD Chief.  The concerns were participated in the Anthony Jones incident in 2013.  Mr. Jones's mother came to me to ask for help, as her son was handcuffed to a gurney at the hospital.  I broke the news to the community, and I asserted that the PSD officers engaged in unlawful use of deadly force.  Also, I helped other residents get their convictions undone or cases dismissed as I did frame-by-frame video analysis and compared it with the police reports - debunking the charges.  RIRA PSC members (including myself) had been tracking many of the issues with PSD during the years PSD Chief Guerra led the force.  The RIRA PSC, as led by Erin Feely-Nahem, was very effective in getting Guerra fired and a new Chief, Jack McManus, to shepherd in a new type of "community policing" that was welcome and effective and, largely, continues to this day.  RIRA PSC meets monthly and engages with the PSD leadership, and it's been a very effective and productive effort - with consistent community participation and now with Co-Chairs leading the RIRA PSC effort.

There areas where RIRA PSC and I differ, and this can be seen in how we approach this incident.  Back in 2013, there was much concern over the Rights of the Individual, and we fought for that.  However, there were other incidents later that summer and fall - a near riot on July 4, and late night noise outside the Deli, which disturbed my neighbors in Island House, and neighbors across the street in Eastwood.  There seem to be a hesitation for PSD to address the noise (or riot) problem as surely it would involve either summons or arrest.  As I pointed out in video that summer/fall, PSD officers were ignoring the noisemakers, yet standing right next to them.  Then, we discovered that RIOC and Hudson Related (via Main Street Retail Master Lease) were collaborating to allow complaints against the Deli as RIOC and HR were negotiating a new lease for the Deli, i.e., PSD was allowing disruptive noise so that RIOC and HR would be in a better negotiating position over the Deli lease - I reported this in the WIRE newspaper.  These wrong judgements and conflicts of interest ignore the Rights of Society, e.g., allow Island House and Eastwood residents to sleep without noise.  The RIRA PSC focused only upon Rights of the Individual and I (and others) said we should strike a balance between the Rights of the Individual vs. the Rights of Society - that is our culture in the US.

The RIRA PSC Co-Chairs only look at this one side.  There is an important other side.

As a brief background, I graduated from NYPD's Police Academy.  As community leaders, NYPD finds it important to educate us because, sometimes, it's really important to understand several sides of an incident, including law enforcement, and that can be most beneficial for the community.

Also, I am trained by NYPD in traffic control and I've worked many events, including Roosevelt Island.  In my experience, there have been cases where motorists are non-compliant and I ask an officer to intervene.  The officer's response, typically, is "You should immediately comply or I'm going to arrest you" - some officers add colorful language for emphasis.

I mention the traffic control because a key point in traffic control is: there's a possibility of injuring and killing people, it is very fast-paced, and safety is the number one priority.  Both motorist safety and (especially) pedestrian safety are important.  In general, IF you (as traffic control) permit it, THEN you are responsible for the consequences.  Here's a relevant example: double parking a delivery truck in front of the Deli is dangerous because it is close to the 560 Breezeway and crosswalk, there are blind areas for traffic, e.g., a bus cutting over two lanes to the left (with oncoming traffic) and going through the crosswalk on the wrong side of the road.  Thus, double parking in front of the Deli is discouraged for traffic safety (pedestrian and motorist) whereas double-parking a truck across of Wholesome Foods is less of a problem.  It is NOT that PSD likes Wholesome Foods and dislikes the Deli, it's that they are two different traffic management problems with the Deli having more safety issues.

As a community, we also care about our residents in the crosswalks, the ongoing complaints about motorists, an almost tragic accident with a car and child by the school, and so on.  Thus, if you see PSD's main concern about safety is addressing this complex traffic management problem (i.e., what us residents want them to do), then it might be easier to see PSD's focus.  Or said differently, if - GOD FORBID - a child were injured and killed because of a delivery truck's unsafe placement, we'd all be screaming about PSD's poor judgement.

In other words, we care about the Rights of Society, along with the Rights of the Individual.

Also, this is NOT about a parking ticket gone wrong, this is about a safety issue that, according to reporting, PSD was trying to address.

Here the delivery driver was not complying with PSD's instructions to address the safety issue, i.e., they wanted her in a different spot.  As an individual, I can't imagine not complying with law enforcement's directive concerning me and my vehicle - I'd image that non-compliance would garner me an arrest, a criminal complaint, a DMV moving violation, and having my car towed.  According to the RIRA PSC Co-Chairs' report, the delivery driver said she parked in one spot earlier in the week, but now that PSD wants her in a different spot, and she feels that she doesn't need to comply with that.  On Saturdays there are 600 vehicles per hour at the 10-11 AM time, i.e., a vehicle every 6 seconds, and there is a farmer's market with lots of pedestrians moving in and out of the Main Street roadway.  The delivery driver has very faulty thinking with that kind of reasoning: it was good a couple days ago, so it must also be good today (wrong!).  The truck driver asked PSD if she could stay as she was almost done, but PSD officers denied that request - and I'm sure PSD officers would have watched her delivery stock so it didn't get stolen while she was repositioning the truck.  Sure, her request might be reasonable from her perspective, but not the PSD officers as they have a bigger problem.  As I said: if you permit the safety hazard, then you own the results.

I believe the RIRA PSC Co-Chair report is misguided on the arrest itself.  It is my belief, based upon the traffic conditions, the video, and reporting from PSD, that the determination to arrest the driver occurred outside, possibly while the driver walking away.  Now with the order to arrest her, I believe the video is showing the officers facilitating arrest.  As I learned from the NYPD Police Academy, 2-3 officers facilitating the arrest is safer than one officer facilitating the arrest.  And once the situation started to escalate, the officers called for back-up - again, normal safety operations.

I also point out that this was not an individual driver (some cranky motorist), but a commercial operation where the driver is part of a fleet.  I cannot imagine that the organization (Frito Lay) or its parent (PepsiCo) believe that it is okay for their drivers to ignore the direction of law enforcement.  In fact, I'm guessing that any operation like this (via corporation management or insurance) would want these kinds of drivers NOT operating a truck - it's unsafe and inappropriate behavior on behalf of a corporation.  It is likely the driver was trained: if you don't follow the direction of law enforcement, it is an immediate termination or reassignment.

There are still many unknowns.  We need confirmation that the determination to arrest occurred outside, and we need to understand what de-escalation techniques (if any) were employed.

In summary, IF you see that a possible outcome of the dangerous placement of a vehicle might mean injury or death to a child, and your reaction to that would be outrage, condemnation, and investigation, THEN your appropriate response is to be supportive of PSD using appropriate judgement, motorist/pedestrian direction, and enforcement to make sure hazardous conditions are mitigated.  This is a focus on the Rights of Society, but also balanced with the Rights of the Individual.

UPDATE 5/13 - If you have any information on this incident, please contact Roosevelt Islander Online and RIRA Public Safety Committee Co-Chair Erin Feely-Nahem.

UPDATE 7:40 PM - The May 11 RIRA Common Council meeting discussed the incident. Here's what happened.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:56:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, September 13, 2021

Life Of A NYC Bike Delivery Worker - Travels From UES 77th Street Over Queensboro Bridge Thru Long Island City To Roosevelt Island Delivering A Slice Of Cake, Receives No Tip

Excellent story from Curbed on the life of a NYC food delivery worker including an order from Roosevelt Island with no tip.

Watch this video.



Be a decent human being and tip well.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:20:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

NYPD 114 Precinct Cracking Down On Electric Motor Bicycle Food Deliveries To Roosevelt Island And Astoria - Pedal Assist Bikes OK But Not Motorized Only E Bikes

On October 19, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced:

... the New York City Police Department today announced that the City will take heightened enforcement action against electric bicycles, otherwise known as “e-bikes,” with a particular focus on the hazardous operation of e-bikes and businesses who use them or permit employees to ride them.

“E-bikes are illegal to operate in New York City and the NYPD is stepping up enforcement,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Those at the top of the food chain need to be held accountable. That’s why instead of merely targeting riders, we’re going after businesses that look the other way and leave their workers to shoulder the fine.”

“E-bikes are too often a danger on the City’s streets and sidewalks,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “They’re illegal to operate here, but it seems like you can spot them everywhere – and that’s where our increased enforcement comes in. Officers are confiscating e-bikes from riders and issuing summonses that carry a stiff fine, and enforcement is up dramatically this year. Soon businesses will be held accountable too, because most e-bike riders are acting on their employer’s behalf. The NYPD is committed to keeping City streets safe for everyone and e-bike enforcement is an important part of the plan.”...


The issue of restaurants using motorized electric bicycles to make Roosevelt Island food deliveries


was discussed during the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) November 29 Public Safety Committee meeting with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus. According to this excerpt from the PSC report:
... The enforcement of traffic regulations for motorized bike was addressed. The Chief is aware of the problem and will be initiating more enforcement of the laws, for deliveries that come onto the Island....
The NYPD 114 precinct, which patrols Roosevelt Island, tweets earlier this week:
But, there's another side to the story. According to Streetsblog:
... For a delivery worker, income is a function of how many deliveries you can make in a day, and delivery zones are expanding as apps like Seamless and GrubHub introduce new incentives for restaurants to cover more turf. Especially for older delivery workers, e-bikes are the only feasible conveyance for daily shifts that routinely clock in at 12 to 16 hours long. On top of it all, many immigrant workers are paying off tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the networks that smuggled them into the country.

“The city has never really talked with delivery workers about their own conditions, and how to design a system around delivery work — about streets, about the commercial cycling ordinances, about e-bike laws,” Lee said. “We’re totally ignoring the people who have the most intimate knowledge of city streets.”

The fine for operating an e-bike on city streets can be as high as $500. That, along with the seizure of property worth several hundred dollars, can upend the life of delivery workers getting by on tips and little else. Even the fines on businesses can trickle down to workers’ pocketbooks....
and:
... A non-punitive approach to the issue might involve encouraging the use of pedal-assist bikes for delivery work, which amplify human power but require the rider to expend some energy. De Blasio said older delivery workers should use those bikes, which are not banned under NYC law, unlike e-bikes that can be powered by just a motor. But instead of talking to delivery workers and trying to reach a solution that fits the demands of the job, the mayor and NYPD have jumped straight to penalizing them....
Here's an interesting video showing the differences between motorized electric bicycles using throttles, which are illegal, and pedal assisted electric bikes which are legal.



Roosevelt Island and Manhattan Upper East Side NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is hosting a forum about the bicycle delivery issue tomorrow.

UPDATE 1/19 - Mayor de Blasio spoke about banning Electric Bicycles and food delivery safety during January 17 Town Hall with Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NYC Council Member Ben Kallos.


By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:02:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

China One Food Delivery Person Robbed Of $500 Responding To Fake Caller At Roosevelt Landings

According to the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Report:

7/27/14 - 1509 - 510 Main St. - Robbery - PSD/NYPD conducted search with negative results. NYPD report filed.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus provides the following details. A take out order was called in to Roosevelt Island's China One restaurant



for delivery at Roosevelt Landings 510 Main Street on Sunday afternoon. When the food delivery person arrived with the order at the apartment given by the caller, the resident opening the door said that no such order was made. After the resident closed the door, the delivery person was confronted by two persons, one with a knife, and robbed of $500.

A NYPD spokesperson added that the two robbers approached the delivery person in the stairwell, were masked, took the food in addition to the $500 and that the delivery person was not hurt.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 12:03:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, March 2, 2012

Recent Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incidents - PSD Officers Rescue Man From East River, Pedestrian Almost Hit By Delivery Scooter & Stolen Car Recovered From Motorgate Garage - RIOC Directors Encourage RIOC Staff To Communicate Better With Directors and Media

Delivery Bike image from Workcycles for illustrative purposes only

On February 28, I sent the following inquiry to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez and Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:
The 2/27 - 2/28 Public Safety Report indicates:
Aided - Adj to the Tram. Male jumped into the River. PSD rescued him. EMS removed aided to the hospital.
My understanding was that the man was rescued from East River by NYPD. Is that incorrect? If PSD did rescue the man, I am happy to do a story about that. Can you please clarify what happened at this incident.

Can you provide additional details regarding these incidents reported in the 2/27 - 2/28 Public Safety report?
Investigation - A deliveryman on a scooter almost struck a pedestrian. Owner of the restaurant was notified.
and:
Recovered Stolen Vehicle - At 688 Main Street. PSD and NYPD filed reports and the vehicle was towed out of the garage.
I have been receiving reports from residents concerned about restaurant delivery persons riding their bikes and scooters in an unsafe manner. Which restaurant was the delivery person from, where did incident happen, what time of day did this happen and what will RIOC do to enforce traffic rules and regulations on restaurant deliveries.

On the recovered stolen vehicle - did it belong to a Roosevelt Island resident, how did RIOC learn that the vehicle was stolen, have their been other stolen vehicles found in the Motorgate garage.

Thank you.
Later that day RIOC's Press Spokesperson answered:
The man was rescued from the East River by two PSD officers. NYPD responded, but arrived after he was already receiving treatment.

The delivery man was warned and admonished. Next time, he is observed operating the scooter in an unsafe manner, he will be ticketed.

The stolen vehicle did not belong to an Island resident.
The issue of RIOC staff communications with RIOC Directors and media, including this blog and the WIRE newspaper, was discussed during the February 27 Operations Committee meeting. The RIOC Directors urged the staff to improve communications with the Board as well as with the media. An audio webcast of the Operations Committee meeting is available below and the discussion regarding communications begins at about the 1 hour 43 minute and 30 second mark.



Other items discussed during the February 27 Operations Committee meeting include the Cornell SEQRA Resolution, Roosevelt Island Tram Operations, conditions of RIOC employees warehouse shed facilities, issues with the Roosevelt Island Garden Club and FEMA reimbursing RIOC for Hurricane Irene related spending.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 11:47:00 AM 0 comments

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Robbery of Delivery Person In Roosevelt Landings - Roosevelt Island Plain Clothes Public Safety Officers On The Look Out


You Tube Video Of Muggable Ron Undercover Police Officer

The 9/21 24 Hour Public Safety Report indicated that there had been a robbery committed in a Roosevelt Island building.
Robbery- Victim was robbed in building, search was made of subjects with negative results. NYPD responded.
I inquired of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra for additional information and he replied:
A Delivery-man was robbed in Building 560. No injuries were sustained.
Plainclothes Officers have been detailed inside the buildings to help prevent this from occurring again.
This is not the first time that a Roosevelt Island delivery person has been robbed.

Plain Clothes undercover officers have previously been utilized at the Motorgate Garage and acts of vandalism have seemed to decrease there. Hopefully, the same result will occur with robberies of Roosevelt Island delivery people and anyone else as well.

Does the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department have their own version of Muggable Ron? Bad guys better watch out - you never know who may be an undercover police officer.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:10:00 PM 1 comments

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Roosevelt Island Food Delivery Person Robbed

Delivery Bike image from Workcycles for illustrative purposes only

The RIOC Public Safety Department is reporting that a food delivery man was robbed on Sunday.
3/8/09-7:00 AM to 3/9/09-7:00 AM
Robbery- Food delivery man was surrounded by three male who demanded money. Victim gave them $100.00 and his cell phone. search for the subjects yielded negative results. NYPD refused. No injuries.
There have been similar incidents reported before of food delivery persons being robbed on Roosevelt Island.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 10:39:00 AM 5 comments

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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports For December 12 Thru 22 - Con Ed Transformer Explosion, Food Delivery Robbery & Red Bus Service Delays

Soho Transformer Explosion after snowstorm last winter from Gothamist

RIOC has started to post the most current Daily and Monthly Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident reports on their web site. Below are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for December 12 - December 22 2008. Incidents included:
  • Loud explosion and smoke from undergound Con Ed transformers - no injury or damage reported (12/22)
  • Food delivery man robbed (12/12)
  • Gristedes shopolifting (12/13)
  • Reckless driving (12/13)
  • Investigation of missing wedding dress (12/16)
  • Computer and Ipod stolen from apartment (12/16) and
  • Investigation of delay in Red Bus Service (12/18, 19)
12/12/08 0700hrs - 12/13/08 0700hrs

Robbery- Delivery man reports he was robbed and injured by three males in Eastwood. A search was made with negative results. NYPD on scene, EMS transported to hospital.

Aided- Female not feeling well, was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital.

Investigation- Tenant entered PSD to reports a male tried to enter her apartment, PSD check and advised with negative results.

Aided- Female fell on bus, suffered a broken wrist, transported to New York Presbyterian.

12/13/08-7:00 AM to 12/14/08-7:00 AM

Disorderly Conduct- Subject arrested by PSD.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Found Property- Brown bag with a cell phone in it. It was secured in PSD.

Vehicle Accident- In the Motorgate garage a vehicle struck the railing. No injuries. EMS refused. NYPD notified.

Shoplifting- Subject took a 6 pack of beer and juice and fled the Grestides Supermarket. PSD responded and conducted a search for the subject with negative results. NYPD refused.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Verbal Dispute- Over the cost of dry cleaning rugs. Customer left store. The rugs remain in the premises. NYPD refused.

Property Damage-Damage to rear bumper of vehicle parked in the Motorgate Garage. Another vehicle had a trail of antifreeze that lead from one vehicle to the other. NYPD notified.

Lost property- a cell phone in an apt. NYPD refused.

Reckless Driving/Unlicensed Operator- Subject disregarded 2 stop signs and pulled over by PSD. Motorist had an expired drivers license and vehicle was un registered and uninsured. Summonses issued. Ownership documentation produced. Vehicle was towed.

Unlawful Possession of Marihuana- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.

12/14/08 0700hrs - 12/15/08 0700hrs

Investigation/Possible Fire Hazard-In apt a meter box was warm and tenant was concerned it could be a hazard. PSD and UA Super responded and Super made arrangements for an electrician to check it 12/15/08.

Aided-A male fell and sustained small laceration on shin. He refused EMS.

Domestic Dispute- Between Husband and Wife over a lost key. No injuries. NYPD refused. They will seek counseling with their pastor.

12/15/08-7:00 AM to 12/16/08-7:00 AM

Verbal Dispute- Between a R.I. resident and a porter over work being done in an adjacent apt. Porter was working in bathroom for a water leak which was effecting various tenants. NYPD refused. UA Super responded.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Vehicle accident- No injuries. A moving truck backed into a parked vehicle. NYPD refused. Parties involved will handle the matter on their own.

Aided- Male fell and sustained pain to left arm. EMS responded and transport was refused. He will see his own private doctor.

12/16/08-7:00 AM to 12/17/08-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Found Property- An IPOD Shuffle. It was secured in PSD.

Unsecured Premise - Circuit panel not working and door was open. PSD and RIOC personnel responded and corrected condition.

Aided- Youth left apt after refusing to go to school. Hours later he returned.

Unattended Property- Female left 2 grocery bags unattended. A male picked up the bags and she told him the bags were hers. He did not keep the bags. He stated he thought that belonged to a friend.

Past Burglary- In a storage room. NYPD responded and PSD.

Investigation- R.I. Resident complained that a RIOC Bus did not lower the ramp with a puddle near by and that the driver stopped and let a passenger off at a non designated area. Bus garage notified.

Grand larceny- Computer and IPOD was taken from a room in an apt. PSD responded and no signs of forced entry. NYPD notified.

Investigation- Female left a black plastic bag with a wedding dress in it. Another woman described the dress and stated it belonged to a friend and took the dress. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Aided- A female fell in apt sustained a laceration to her arm. EMS transported her to the Hospital.

Trespass/Alcohol/Open Container- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.

Open Container Alcohol- Subject arrested by PSD.

12/18/08-7:00 AM to 12/19/08-7:00 AM

Dispute - Between pedestrian and cab driver. PSD responded and spoke to both parties. Both parties left without further incident.

Aided - Not feeling well called EMS. PSD responded with EMS to apt. Aided refused transport and stated he will go to his doctor on his own.

Petit Larceny - Owner reported to PSD gas credit card missing from his vehicle. No forced entry or damages to vehicle. PSD made search with negative results. Owner will go to 114 pct. on his own.

Criminal Mischief - Owner reported to PSD that unknown subject went through glove compartment, but did not take anything. No forced entry or damages to vehicle. Subject broke two CD's. PSD made search with negative results. Owner refused NYPD report.

Harassment - Resident reported to PSD officer that she was being harassed by youth who lives in her building. Reporter stated this is chronic occurrence. Reporter was also referred to management.

Missing Property - Owner reported to PSD that his car was possibly broken into. Owner reported several items were missing from car. No forced entry or damages to car. Owner will go to 114 pct. on his own. Owner not sure if he locked door.

Criminal Mischief - PSD officer observed a wall broken inside stairwell. Search was made with negative results. Housing management notified.

Fire Alarm - Fire alarm going off in AVAC and sprinkler went off. Super turned off water and cleaned up flood. No damages to property or injuries.

Investigation - Delay in service was reported by residents. Matter was referred to bus garage.

Unsecured Premises - RIOC bus garage gate opened and stuck. Officer responded to monitor area until personnel showed up.

Lost Property - Resident brought property into PSD. Property was returned to owner.

0700 12/19/08- 0700 12/20/08

Criminal Mischief- PSD officer observed damage to wall, super notified. Search made with negative results.

Fire Alarm- PSD officer responded to 7th floor AVAC for sprinkler alarm went off on PSD panel. No Damage to property super turned off water and vacuum floor area.

Unsecured Premises- PSD officer observed gate at bus garage open ad stuck. Garage supervisor notified. PSD monitoring area.

Lost Property- Resident brought check into PSD, PSD officer returned property back to owner

Aided- Home attendant stop PSD officer because tenant has not answer door. Super and Porter notified on scene, drilled locks. Tenant arrived locks replaced.

Trespass- PSD officer observed two male subjects in unauthorized location. Summons issued and released for trespass and appearance in public under the influence.

Trespass- PSD officers responded to 540 rear lobby observed one male subject remained while other have left area. Summons issued and released.

Investigation/ No bus service- Tram manager notify PSD officer that he received complaints by five individuals waiting for the RIOC red bus. PSD Lt. reports bus #4 inside garage lot. Bus supervisor notified

12/20/08-7:00 AM to 12/21/08-7:00 AM

Domestic Dispute- Between Husband and Wife. No injuries and NYPD refused. Husband was escorted out of the apt.

Aided- Male fell and refused EMS. No injuries.

Criminal Mischief- Broken light bulb. Juvenile Subject escorted to PSD and father retrieved son. Juvenile report filed.

Aided- Male stuck in the elevator. Central Parking personnel responded with master key and opened elevator. EMS refused and no injuries.

Investigation- Anonymous caller stated that there was a fire in a building. PSD responded and conducted a search of the building. No fire or smoke condition. All in order.

12/21/08-7:00 AM to 12/22/08-7:00 AM

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Investigation- PSD responded for unknown condition. PSD responded and it was a faulty alarm. UA notified.

Trespass- Subject in building 19th floor was arrested by PSD.

Lost Property- A bicycle. It was secured it in PSD.

Disorderly Conduct- PSD responded to a building for dispute between 2 females. One became irate and was yelling. Subject was arrested by PSD.

12/22/08-7:AM TO 12/23/08- 7:00 AM

SMOKE CONDITION- PSD responded to a loud explosion and smoke caused by transformers under ground in front of 599 main st. FDNY responded and CON EDISON and RIOC personnel notified. No injuries or property damage reported.

AIDED- AN ill person walked into PSD and stated she was feeling dizzy. Transported to hospital by EMS.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF- TENANT reports unknown person burned decorations on front door.
PSD and FDNY responded no injuries reported.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF- TENANT reports unknown persons entered her yard. PSD responded made a search with negative results NYPD refused.

AIDED- PERSON fell on ice causing injury to both legs taken to the hospital by EMS.

PROPERTY DAMAGE- ACCESS a RIDE bus driver hit a sign on main st. no injuries reported.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 11:14:00 AM 2 comments

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Monday, December 15, 2008

Roosevelt Island Delivery Persons At Risk For Being Robbed - Is This A Job for Roosevelt Island Undercover Public Safety Officers?

Delivery Bike image from Workcycles for illustrative purposes only

The December 12 Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Incident Report indicates that a delivery person was robbed and injured in Eastwood (Roosevelt Landings). According to the report:
Robbery- Delivery man reports he was robbed and injured by three males in Eastwood. A search was made with negative results. NYPD on scene, EMS transported to hospital.
No information yet as to whether the victim was delivering take out food or some other item. There have been several other troublesome incidents over the past 6 weeks of Roosevelt Island food delivery persons being threatened or robbed.
Perhaps a good time to use the Roosevelt Island Undercover officers to investigate these robberies.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:01:00 PM 0 comments

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