Community Report From RIOC President Susan Rosenthal - Roosevelt Island Drinking Water Fountain Contaminant Study, Motorgate Garage Repair Plans, Helix Ramp & Tram Platform Additional Work May Cause Travel Delays, Boat Prow Graffiti & More

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal reports to the community:

WATER FOUNTAINS

Healthy Building International Inc. has been retained by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) to conduct water sampling and analysis at several drinking water fountain locations in parks and playgrounds across Roosevelt Island, RIOC President and CEO Susan Rosenthal said Tuesday.

The tests are designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the water and to confirm its acceptability for consumption. The samples will be compared with the relevant federal Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) contaminant levels of microbials, metals and inorganic substances.

A plumbing engineer selected from RIOC’s newly formed A&E (Architectural and Engineering) Services committee (a panel of qualified, multi-disciplined architects and engineers) will help RIOC officials interpret the results, draft and consider potential solutions. The water analysis and a downstream review is focused on each specific point of water line connection to each actual fountain or public use spigot or valve.

RIOC announced last Friday that it was immediately shutting down water fountains after concerns, raised by Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance about potential water source lines, prompted the agency to schedule the analysis.

“As-built drawings” – the final set of drawings a contractor files to document work, changes, construction processes and the location of all elements of the work completed and maintained - were not archived for work at all the parks and playgrounds built in the early 1970s and maintained thereafter. Those drawings document whether the playground fountains are connected to the irrigation lines or domestic water lines in the area. Without the “as-built” drawings for the other drinking fountains on the Island, RIOC cannot be certain about the connection source of all the other fountains.

RIOC had the “as-builts” for Southpoint Park’s drinking fountain from 2010 and can verify that the water is from its domestic line not the park’s irrigation system.

It was revealed during a recent water use disagreement with Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF), which runs cat sanctuaries on the Island, that the WFF water hose was using an irrigation line connection for its Southpoint sanctuary. (WFF has since said it was willing to continue to use “not potable,” irrigation water for their Southpoint sanctuary).

In addition to this project, The A&E services committee is expected to help RIOC manage capital projects, infrastructure maintenance and repairs – including the Sportspark renovations, the FDR Hope Memorial, the Firefighters Field comfort station/bathroom construction, future Lighthouse renovations, elevator consultant and Motorgate repairs - more efficiently and simply put, “get things done more quickly,” Rosenthal said.

MOTORGATE

At our June board of directors meeting, another group, Architecture and Engineering Group, P.C. (AEG); was awarded a contract to re-inspect the entire Motorgate facility, conduct a parking analysis and prepare documents for the plans to repair the garage. More details will be forthcoming.

WORKLISTS for the Tram Platforms, HELIX ramps and graffiti at the Prow

While major construction on both the Tram platforms and the Helix is complete, you may have noticed workers completing a series of additional tasks which include some additional asphalt and materials finishes.

The additional work – which includes concrete finishing work on the platforms and on the Helix’s upper ramp (the return ramp to Queens from Motorgate), repaving and repair of the Flat Plaza (where the RI flagpoles are located), undersides work, installation of guardrails on the lower ramp; and lane, asphalt and crosswalk striping at both ends of the ramp – also includes fixes to incomplete or incorrect installations or incidental damage to existing finishes, material, and structures; and must be completed by the contractor prior to final payment.

“We have been informed some of this work may cause travel delays on the Helix or at the Tram stations at Roosevelt Island and midtown Manhattan during the next couple weeks. As soon as we have more details, we will advise,” Rosenthal said.

Graffiti removal at The Prow, the metal dingy-like boat structure that juts out into the East River near Octagon Park has begun. RIOC crews are using Prosoco-brand paint remover which is environmental friendly and works well on metal.

After application, the product “cures” for up to an hour, before the surface is brushed and then power-washed with regular water. This step may have to be repeated several times to remove some of the Prow’s toughest graffiti spots.

Once the surface is free of graffiti, RIOC grounds crews will apply a wax-based product as a protective layer to make any new graffiti easier to remove with just a power washer as the layer of wax (and the new graffiti will “melt” away. A new layer of wax is then reapplied.

The work on the Prow and other graffiti-defaced areas around the Island is expected to continue through September.

Fourth of July Activities

RIOC is proud of have hosted more than 8,600 visitors to our Fourth of July Family Fireworks viewing event last week.

Many thanks to our partners at Cornell Tech and FDR Four Freedoms State Park, NYPD, FDNY, RIOC’s grounds, facilities, and other staff members especially our entire cadre of PSD officers, most of whom worked on foot, bike, car and from aerial viewing spots – vetting incoming car traffic at the Roosevelt Island bridge, handling crowd control from Lighthouse to Southpoint parks; and manning designated security posts from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

“I’d also like to extend a special shout-out to Erica Spencer-EL and Jessica Murray, the director and manager of our Community Affairs Department for leading the event coordination task group and their diligent contributions to what became a record-breaking, memorable day,” Rosenthal said.

“We’ve scheduled debriefing meetings this week with our teams to review the event’s logistics to see how we can improve for next year,” she said.

MORE OUTDOOR MOVIES

Be sure not to miss RIOC’s ongoing slate of outdoor movies in Southpoint Park this summer, next up include:

• Friday, July 20: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi; (rain date July 27)
• Saturday, July 21: The Fifth Element; (rain date July 28)
• Friday, August 3: Black Panther; (rain date August 10)
• Friday, August 17: A Wrinkle in Time; (rain date August 24).

Top Of Roosevelt Island Steam Plant Tagged With ZOINKS Graffiti - How Did It Get There, What Does It Mean And Please Remove Asks Resident

Last Saturday, a tipster noticed ZOINKS graffiti tag on top of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant.

Today, the Twitterverse asks:

What is this graffiti and how did it get there? Can it please be removed? @Rooseveltisland @RIOCny pic.twitter.com/NyM7jos0wI

— HEL✈️JFK (@NYTTYTTYY) June 28, 2018

The Roosevelt Island Steam Plant supplied power to Goldwater Hospital. The Steam Plant was shut down and decommissioned in November 2014 when Goldwater Hospital was demolished to make way for Cornell Tech.

There is currently no plan for it's future use.

My understanding is that Roosevelt Island steam plant is property of Nyc not @RIOCny. Here’s brief view inside. https://t.co/xulCgVxgW3

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 9, 2018

I think it is owned by @RIOCny based off this article from 2013. Would love to see whatever engineering report was done on the structure. https://t.co/9ynNXY59T0

— Mike Bloomberg (@BloombergME) June 10, 2018

Here's a 2013 look



inside the Steam Plant.

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

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

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

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

Shakespeare Tags Roosevelt Island Boat Prow - He's Pretty Good

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

This Shakespeare guy is an amazing tagger. pic.twitter.com/cIXLponvU5

— Nick Turner (@SFNick) November 26, 2015

Roosevelt Island Boat Prow Dock Eyesore Getting A Long Awaited Restoration and Facelift - Graffiti To Be Removed, Eroded Corten Steel Base To Be Repaired But Solution Still Needed To Prevent Future Graffiti

Image Of 2008 Roosevelt Island Boat Prow Dock Graffiti

Reported way back in April 2008:

While walking towards the Octagon Park this past weekend, I passed by the West Promenade dock shaped like the prow of a boat and was disgusted by the amount of graffiti plastered all over it. The graffiti strewn dock, both inside and out, is quite an eyesore and has been like that for years. It should be cleaned up....

At the time, Steve Shane was President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). Mr. Shane responded to the post:

The prow has always been an attractive grafitti spot, has been cleaned many times. Gets done on summer list.

and in response to a suggestion to hire local kids to clean up the graffiti on the boat prow, a philosophical Mr. Shane replied:

We do hire local kids.
Clean up of prow only creates tabula rasa. We will do it, again.

(Yes, there was a time when the RIOC President actually engaged with the Roosevelt Island community through the media.)

It's now August of 2012 and the Roosevelt Island Boat Prow Dock is still an eyesore plastered with graffiti.

However, during the July 30 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting (full webcast is here), RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez reported that RIOC will begin a Boat Prow Restoration project to remove the graffiti from the prow and to repair eroded Corten Steel damage to the base of the Prow caused by the East River salt washing up against the prow. Mr. Martinez added that RIOC has not found any type of material that can be used to prevent graffiti from being placed on the prow so RIOC will have to be vigilant and remove the tags as soon as they are placed on the prow. Here's the presentation by Mr. Martinez:



and July 24 RIOC Operations Committee meeting discussion of the topic (audio webcast of full meeting is here)



There is also an interesting exchange between RIOC Director David Kraut and Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy regarding when the public is allowed to participate in RIOC committee meetings. Mr. Kraut explains to Ms. Berdy that public participation is solely at the discretion of RIOC Board members.

I recently took a walk around the Boat Prow Dock. Join me



and look forward to a time when the area is not filled with graffiti.

It is not hard to believe that a Roosevelt Island public space formerly dirty with pigeon poop and graffiti could be cleaned up and revitalized. Just look at what happened to the Subway Pier area that is currently an outdoor restaurant for this summer, Pier NYC, and how that was cleaned up by the Riverwalk Bar & Grill owners.



Sustaining Your Heritage Blog has more information on removing graffiti from steel structures similar to Roosevelt Island's Boat Prow Dock:

... One of the major challenges we face in the conservation of public art is dealing with human impact on the artwork. And of course, graffiti epitomises the negative impact that comes from some members of our society.

Graffiti removal is almost always problematic. Often, the marker (paint or pen) penetrates the pores or surface roughness of the materials used for the sculpture, and cannot be easily removed. At other times, the process required to remove the graffiti causes damage to the substrate....

This NY Times FYI column from 2000 provides some more information on Roosevelt Island's protruding rusty old ship's prow:

It's a performance stage and observation platform, built over an old boat landing in 1997 and designed to look . . . well, like a ship's prow. It projects about 50 feet out into the West Channel, and consists of a flat, unadorned concrete wedge clad with rusty plates of steel. Two small slots near the tip -- presumably for imaginary anchor chains -- are the only real nautical embellishment, though a few heavy mooring posts have been placed nearby.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee Report - Questions Raised On Parking Favoritism, Car, Bike & Pedestrian Traffic Safety, Motorgate and Vertical Building Patrols and Graffiti Among Issues Reviewed

Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee report to the June 2012 RIRA Common Council:

RIRA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 5/22/12

Follow up Initiatives:

Vertical Patrols:

None of the committee members present stated that they had seen vertical patrols being conducted in their buildings. Members acknowledged that PSO’s were seen at the door station in Westview this month, but not on the floors or in the stairways.

The PSC Chair brought up the fact that there had not been any reports of robberies, to the committee members, in the buildings, and stated that she would follow up with the director on whether he was utilizing the same strategy as last quarter targeting the “hot spots”.

Traffic Control:

Although there appear to be several new officers who are not as well trained in traffic control as some of the more seasoned officers, there has been an officer presence during the morning hours on Saturday at the Green Market, and in the mornings during the week. A member of the committee questioned the school crossing guard’s assignment, noting that there had been one morning when she wasn’t present, before 9am, and expressed concern because cars were ignoring the stop sign. The PSC Chair stated she would ask the Director for clarification of the hours.

Other problems sighted by committee members continue to be about the pedestrians who ignore cross walks, walk out in front of moving cars, and the bicycles that continue to ride on the sidewalk. Committee members would like to see PSO’s take a more instructional role with the pedestrians, who create potentially dangerous conditions to themselves and others, by ignoring the traffic regulations. Committee members would like to see PSO’s educating pedestrians and those riding their bicycles illegally, on safety as well as on the rules and regulations, and the legal ramifications possible, if these laws are disobeyed. The idea of taking one day a month and stopping drivers who run through the stop, giving a verbal warning, was also suggested as a deterrent.

Motorgate patrols:

Officer Sitaras informed RIRA members during May’s meeting about the two recent robberies at Motorgate. Committee members expressed concern stating that they had not noticed an increase patrols during the past month, and some felt they had seen them less frequently. Concern over the use of the stairwells as urinals again, since the bathroom doors have been locked, brought up the question of who is responsible for patrolling the stairways, which are being vandalized, and why it doesn’t seem to be done. Individuals who park in motorgate have not seen patrols as frequently as in the past. Committee members shared interest in knowing why the stairways are not being patrolled as well, since now that the bathrooms at Motorgate are locked, they are again being used as urinals. Chair will email Director with this concern.

Parking Enforcement:

One committee member stated that Parking Enforcement continues to be problems at Southtown. Reports are that on the East Channel, cars are not being equally ticketed and are being allowed to park all day Sunday, straight through the night until Monday, without being given a ticket. The same cars continue to be given breaks. A Range Rover, with Pennsylvania plates, Door Station employees, restaurant owners who claim to utilize their vehicles for deliveries during the day, etc.

Tickets are being given out more often in the North Town areas, although cars, which brandish a “Public Safety 2012” card on the dashboard, are not being ticketed

Discussion ensued about the Public Safety 2012 cards, allegedly provided to PSO as an incentive, by management. It is alleged that each officer is given 12 cards, which they can give to their family and friends. These cards allow the owner of the card to park on the Roosevelt Island Street without paying the muni-meter or being issued a ticket. This card was seen on the dashboard of a BMW, in front of Westview. The car remained in that spot for several hours without the need to display a muni-meter ticket on their dashboard, and without getting a ticket. When Howard, a RIOC Board member was questioned about this procedure he stated that he was unaware of it. A RIRA member originally brought this issue to committee member’s attention after the May RIRA meeting. At her request the PSC Chair emailed the Director for information, which has not received a response yet.

Committee members questioned the legality of these cards, since they were taking capital away from the city, as well as the moral issue which concerns the limited number of parking spots available to residents. It was discussed that if RIOC felt that this perk was necessary for its Officers, and didn’t feel that they should have to pay for parking at Motorgate, then a location should be offered for them to park in, like a lot, as it does for the Dry Cleaner, rather then taking several of the very limited number of parking spots available on the streets. Chair will bring this issue up in the Operation Committee meeting in June.

New Business:
Concern was expressed for the Graffiti, which has increased, as pointed out in the letter in the WIRE. Chair will follow up on what PS is doing to eradicate this problem.

UPDATE 1:40 PM - RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra informs me that the incidents at the Motorgate characterized as "robberies" were larcenies - the difference being that robbery is a crime against a person, not a car as happened in this case.

American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field Torn and Ripped - Let's Get This Repaired Quick - the Roosevelt Island Tram Countdown Clock Too

 Image of Torn American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field

A report was made to See Click Fix last Tuesday that the American Flag flying over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field is torn and ripped.

The corner of the US flag next to the tram roundabout got caught in the rope and the flag started to tear apart. That should be easy to fix.

 Image of Torn American Flag Flying Over Roosevelt Island's Firefighter's Field

On Wednesday, another report was made to See Click Fix asking that the countdown time display clock

 at the Tram Stations be fixed:

 The time display at the tram station is not working properly. It always say "Next tram: 6 minutes", no matter how long you wait.

Then, when the tram actually starts moving, it jumps from 6 to 4 minutes, and only then it starts to work properly. But at that point, I already know the tram is coming, so no need for a display.

RIOC should fix it to always show the right time for the next tram. It shouldn't be too difficult, given they have a schedule.

So, as soon as the Tram leaves a station, the countdown clock starts at 6 minutes even if the next Tram is not due to leave the same station for another 15 minutes. The clock stays at 6 minutes until the tram leaves the opposite station when the clock begins the countdown at 4 minutes. That's not very useful.

Let's get the Flag repaired now, the Tram countdown clock soon thereafter and not continue to wait for months as have some other Roosevelt Island issues listed on See Click Fix before being addressed such as the graffiti on this Rivercross Lawn tree.

More on Roosevelt Island See Click Fix and how to report issues from earlier post.

UPDATE - 3/20 - See Click Fix reports that the damage flag at Firefighter's Field has been replaced.

Graffiti Arrest Made By Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department - Suspect Claimed Responsibility For Over 100 Tags On Roosevelt Island

Received the following message from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

On February 23, 2011, our Department made a great arrest catching a Graffiti Artist who was defacing property in Roosevelt Landings.

{Name Redacated} (17), who has been residing with his girlfriend in Building 540, was apprehended after a short pursuit and claimed responsibility for more than 100 tags of graffiti on the island. His tag of "ISK8" which means I skate, has been spotted in several places throughout Roosevelt Landings and throughout the island to Coler Hospital.

{Name Redacted} was also wanted by the NYPD and was also subsequently arrested by the NYPD Vandals Unit as well.

He was booked at the 114th Pct and processed to Manhattan Criminal Court. Following his arraignment there, he will be transported to Queens Criminal Court to answer the charges made by the NYPD.

The PSD Officers are to be commended for catching this mischievous individual and for hopefully putting an end to his damaging of property here on Roosevelt Island.

I redacted the name of the suspect.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers Injured While Suspect Resisting Arrest, Officers OK - Be Alert For Signs Of Graffiti Tagging & December 2010 Public Safety Blotter

The 1/24 - 25 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report indicated:

Assault on a Peace Officer- PSD arrested the subject

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra adds:

On Tuesday, January 25th, two of our Public Safety Officers were injured while apprehending two suspects that were high on drugs. One of the subjects resisted arrest and fought with the Officers. Both Officers were treated and released for their injuries. The two subjects were arrested; one released with Criminal Court Summonses and the other went through Manhattan Central Booking.

Also, as previously reported, the Public Safety Department recently arrested:

... three males in connection to a Graffiti spree that had taken place in the Motorgate Parking Garage. The males were found in possession of paint cans and markers and claimed responsibility for 25% of the graffiti in the Motorgate, including fresh graffiti that had been found in stairwell BB. They were subsequently charged with Criminal Mischief: Graffiti, and Possession of Graffiti Instruments....

and provided this graphic for Roosevelt Island parents to be alert for in the event their child is involved in graffiti.

Image From RIOC

Below is the December 2010 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Blotter. Incidents include:

• Escort requested for female suffering from Alzheimer's to her residence. Female escorted and secured in apartment without incident. (12/17 - 575 Main Street)
• Male subject observed at location causing a disturbance and making derogatory statements against PSD. Subject left location. Subject's Mother later made a complaint that her son was being harassed. (12/2 - 579 Main Street)
•  Reporter advised unknown male subject telephoned for her to send money out of the country to obtain a $4.5 million cash prize. R/O dialed number and spoke with subject who became irate. Number on file. Victim advised not to send money. (12/10 - 525 Main Street)
• Reporter advised while performing snow removal he struck parked vehicle causing scratches and dents. 911 notified for police report. Note was left on vehicle to contact PSD regarding damages. (12/26 - 400 Main Street)
• ARREST Male subject observed urinating in public. Male is son of diplomat and was not issued summons due to diplomatic immunity. (12/31 - Front Of 560 Main Street)
• Victim is driver of taxi cab and reported two males requested pick up. One subject was in a wheel chair and while victim was helping him into the vehicle the other male subject took $500 from his wallet. Both subjects fled the scene, one on foot and one in a vehicle. (12/21 - 20 River Road)
• ARREST R/O responded to group of disorderly males. Male subject punched male victim in the head. Subject was positively identified by victim and taken into custody. Subject was transported to 114 Precinct for arrest processing. (12/17 - 510 Main Street) and
• Two male victims were approached by two male subjects, one with a knife, and were asked to give them their jacket and hat valued at approximately $300 for both. Subjects took items and fled. Victims approached adult male for help. Adult male approached subjects and returned items to victims. Incident took place on 12/22/10 but was not reported to PSD until 12/23/10. NYPD notified for report. School Director was notified of incident as well. Students will be escorted to subway in the future. Follow up with regard to robbery on 12/23/10 by PSD Detectives on 12/24/10. Victims and subjects were interviewed at the 114th Precinct and it was determined by NYPD Juvenile Officers that the male youth subjects be released to their parents. (12/13 - Front of 526 Main Street)

December 2010 Public Safety Blotter

Roosevelt Island 2010 Public Safety Calls For Services/Responses statistics are here.

Man With Handgun Arrested By Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department, Graffiti Arrest And 2010 Public Safety Statistics

Image From Misconceptions Of Silver Handgun  For Illustrative Purposes Only

On Sunday afternoon, I received a tip from a Roosevelt Island resident about police activity and an arrest on the West Channel Drive between Starbucks and 475 Main Street. I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra what happened. Mr. Guerra replied with the following:

On Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 3:18 PM, a large group of males (approximately 8) was observed in front of 579 Main Street fighting. PSD Members responded to the location and the group dispersed in different directions.  Two individuals present at the scene (Island Residents) were apprehended and escorted to the Public Safety Department.  The alleged subjects immediately notified Lt. Yee that another male involved in the altercation had pointed a handgun at them and told them to get back or they would be shot.

Lt. Yee then notified the other PSD Officers on Patrol and provided a description of said male.  The Officers proceeded to pursue the other subjects, who were observed heading south on Main Street.  The subject fitting the description of the male with the gun was apprehended on the West Drive by Sgt. Hernandez, Officer Gilmore and Officer Cruz.   During the  apprehension, a silver handgun fell from the subject's person. The handgun was secured by Lt. Yee.  This subject was charged with two counts of Menacing, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct. Three other subjects were also apprehended and charged with Disorderly Conduct.  All four subjects arrested were Non-Island Residents.  The two Island residents who provided the information were released without incident.

These types of Incidents are never easy to deal with.  The Officers were diligent in their response to the initial scene, and then in apprehending the four subjects, one who possessed a handgun.  The bravery shown by our Public Safety Officers (who are unarmed) to pursue a male known to be in possession of a firearm is incredible.  I salute them for a job well done.

Director Guerra also reports on a separate incident of a graffiti arrest this past weekend:

On Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 8:39 PM, Sgt. Hernandez (PSD) while on patrol, observed three male youths (one island resident) in front of the Roosevelt Island Post Office walking southbound.  Sgt. Hernandez then observed one of the males throw some unknown objects on ground. With the assistance of P.O. Fernandez (NYPD), the male subjects were stopped initially for littering.  A bottle of blue paint and a thick red marker where recovered at the scene. Further investigation by Det. Vernet (PSD) and Det. Rivera (PSD) yielded seven spray can tips and another thick marker.

One subject while being questioned with his parent present, stated that he and the other two males were responsible for twenty-five percent of the graffiti at the motorgate.  All three males admitted to being in the motorgate for the purpose of grafitti prior to being stopped.  A search of the motorgate was conducted and fresh graffiti was found in stairwell BB. The subjects were processed and charged with Criminal Mischief: Graffiti, and Possession of Graffiti Instruments.
[They had also been arrested by the NYPD Vandal Unit on charges unrelated to Roosevelt Island.]

Patrols had been increased in the area of the Motorgate after several complaints of Graffiti had been reported.  An exemplary  job was performed by the three PSD Officers and the NYPD Officer assigned to Roosevelt Island.

Below are the 2010 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Calls For Services/Responses statistics. The statistics show  a total of 1864 total Calls. The largest number of calls was for the category of Aided (EMS/Transport Cases) with 639 followed by Investigations (non-crim) with 298 calls and 193 for found property.

According to the statistics, there were also 19 assaults, 16 robberies, 12 burglaries, 7 grand larcenies, 2 grand larceny auto and no murders or rapes. There were 3455 "A" parking violations and 412 "B" traffic violations.
2010 Public Safety Statistics

Roosevelt Island Red Bus Grafitti - Report It And RIOC Will Clean It Up

Image of Roosevelt Island Red Bus At Riverwalk Stop

Have you noticed a grafitti problem on the Roosevelt Island Red Bus? A reader of this post has:

On a red bus related note. Does anyone know if public safety is doing anything to catch who is writing graffiti on the buses? Even one of the new buses has now been tagged. All with the same two or three tags meaning it is most likely a Roosevelt Island resident. It looks horrible and given RIOC's operating budget it will no doubt mar the bus for the next decade.

I inquired of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra on this subject and he replied quickly:

I contacted Chris Baker from Bus Operations and he stated that, at times, the kids sitting in the back of the buses vandalize the seats or back panels with graffiti. (When seen, the graffiti is removed from the seating areas in the back of the buses.) He will have the buses checked for graffiti today, and have it removed if present.

Graffiti Arrests on Roosevelt Island And 47 Cans of Spray Paint Confiscated

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers from RIOC

From the July 16 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident Report:

Graffiti- 5 Subjects arrested by PSD. 47 cans of spray paint also confiscated by PSD.

Public Safety Department Keith Guerra provides some more details:

5 people (males & females) between the ages of 17-28 were caught spraying the front of the ship by our Plain Clothes Unit Officers. They were all apprehended and charged with Criminal Mischief. They were processed at the 114 Pct. and their spray cans were vouchered as evidence.

I believe the ship referred to is the boat dock prow near the Octagon and subject of these post regarding the need to clean up it's existing graffiti. Good job by the Public Safety officers in the Plain Clothes Unit.

Graffiti Removed from Riverwalk Trees - Will Boat Prow Dock Be Next?

As can be seen from the picture below taken yesterday by Roosevelt Island 360, the graffiti defacing trees on Southtown's Riverwalk lawn has been cleaned up and removed. According to RIOC President Steve Shane:

We arranged for management in Southtown to do it.

Good job by RIOC and Riverwalk management in cleaning up the trees so quickly.

Image of Graffiti free trees from Roosevelt Island 360

As to the graffiti on the boat dock prow and a suggestion to hire local kids to clean up Roosevelt Island graffiti, a philosophical Mr. Shane reports:

We do hire local kids.
Clean up of prow only creates tabula rasa. We will do it, again.

Roosevelt Island Graffitti Now On Trees

Someone marked up two trees on the Riverwalk lawn with grafitti. Why would anyone do this? It's disgusting. Let's see how quickly this gets cleaned up.


Still waiting for the boat dock prow to be cleaned up.

Update on Octagon Boat Prow Dock Graffiti

From this post concerning the graffiti at the Octagon Boat Prow Dock:

While walking towards the Octagon Park this past weekend, I passed by the West Promenade dock shaped like the prow of a boat and was disgusted by the amount of graffiti plastered all over it. The graffiti strewn dock, both inside and out, is quite an eyesore and has been like that for years. It should be cleaned up.

RIOC President Steve Shane responds:

The prow has always been an attractive grafitti spot, has been cleaned many times. Gets done on summer list.

I hope they do something about the dog droppings as well!

Vandalism and Graffiti at Renwick Ruins - Didn't They Read the Sign?

Image of Renwick Ruins graffiti by Press HD

Two recent incidents of vandalism and graffiti in and near Renwick Ruins at Southpoint Park reported by Roosevelt Island 24 Hour Public Safety Reports. Looks like the NO TRESPASSING NO LOITERING sign did not help much.

4/6/07-700 AM to 4/7/08-700 AM

Criminal Mischief-S/O 200 Main Street the lights surrounding South Point Park were torn down. Search for the subject yielded negative results. Damaged lights found at scene.

4/5 -4/6/08
Graffiti- S/O 1 Main Street at South Point Park (in Ruins Light Pole). Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Roosevelt Island blogger Press HD has more:

It’s been about three weeks since the brush on the east channel side of Southpoint Park was set fire and today another incident of vandalism in the park.

The vandalism was discovered at 4:30pm Sunday during a walk through the park. Several walls of the Renwick Ruin have been defaced with bright red spray paint and six-letters spelling out a racial slur were painted on six of the spotlights that illuminate the ruins. Cables, light bulbs and fixtures have been pulled from parts of the fence that surrounds the park.

Graffiti and Dog Dropping Eyesores at Octagon Boat Prow Dock

While walking towards the Octagon Park this past weekend, I passed by the West Promenade dock shaped like the prow of a boat and was disgusted by the amount of graffiti plastered all over it. The graffiti strewn dock, both inside and out, is quite an eyesore and has been like that for years. It should be cleaned up. Is this the responsibility of RIOC, the Octagon owners or someone else? Whoever is responsible has neglected this area for a very long time and should clean the area immediately. There is also plenty of dog droppings in the grassy area surrounding the dock. It is obvious that dog owners are not cleaning up after their pets and should start to do so or the Public Safety Department should start issuing some tickets.

The NY Times FYI column from 2000 provides some more information on Roosevelt Island's protruding rusty old ship's prow:

It's a performance stage and observation platform, built over an old boat landing in 1997 and designed to look . . . well, like a ship's prow. It projects about 50 feet out into the West Channel, and consists of a flat, unadorned concrete wedge clad with rusty plates of steel. Two small slots near the tip -- presumably for imaginary anchor chains -- are the only real nautical embellishment, though a few heavy mooring posts have been placed nearby.

Today's Metro reports on how graffiti problem was eliminated in the subway system:

“We had to put in place not only clean trains, but the means to keep them clean,” he said. “We also decided that once you put out a clean train it would never go out dirty. If we could keep them clean, we could make a projection as to when the last train with graffiti would run.”

...In a train yard at 132nd Street, the graffiti was sophisticated. With the same trains laid up every evening, taggers could take their time: one night for an undercoat, the next for an outline and the third for color.
“These kids worked three nights, all night long, until they had something they were proud of,” Gunn said. “Just before the train would go into service ... we’d have cops dressed as car cleaners come in to slosh paint all over it. The kids would be in hysterics, literally, crying and begging you to let it make just one trip.”

Let's get the Octagon boat prow dock cleaned up!