Mayor Eric Adams Reports On "Cannabis Justice For All" In Op Ed Submitted To NYC Community Media - "It Is Time For The Operation Of Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries To End" Says Mayor Adams

New York City Mayor Eric Adams submitted the op-ed article below to local NYC community media including Roosevelt Islander Online.

According to Mayor Eric Adams:

Community Op Ed: Cannabis Justice for All

Legalizing cannabis was a major step forward for equity and justice in our city. But legalization is about following the new laws, not a free pass to sell unregulated cannabis products.

Over the last few months, illegal cannabis retailers have taken advantage of decriminalization efforts, with unlicensed smoke shops popping up all over the city. This “Wild West” attempt to gain market share will not be tolerated. New York City has changed the laws, but we intend to enforce them — fairly, equitably, and thoroughly.

For many years, people of color in our communities were routinely targeted when it came to cannabis law enforcement. Cannabis criminalization was used to harass, arrest, and prosecute our brothers and sisters.

Advocates rightly pushed for an end to these practices, and fought hard to put racial equity at the center of New York's cannabis legalization efforts. Past convictions were automatically expunged or suppressed. People with past convictions for marijuana and their family members are being given priority for these licenses. 50 percent of licenses have been set aside for social and economic equity applicants.

An open and democratic process resulted in the progress so many wanted to see — an end to the “war on drugs” mentality, the establishment of a safe and sanctioned cannabis industry for adults, and a pathway to restorative justice for those who were unfairly prosecuted in the past.

Legal cannabis is expected to be a $1.3 billion industry that will create thousands of jobs and generate approximately $40 million per year in tax revenue for our city. And 40 percent of the tax revenues from legal cannabis will be invested back in the communities that were most harmed by prohibition.

We have a moral obligation to make sure that the people who were adversely affected by marijuan criminalization get their fair share of this emerging market. That’s part of the mission of the new CannabisNYC Office. This is a city agency that will make New Yorkers aware of opportunities to participate in this industry, promote equity, and help applicants navigate the licensing process.

In the last month, the first licensed cannabis dispensaries in our city have opened for business. One is owned by a not-for-profit that supports people living with H.I.V. and A.I.D.S., the other by a formerly incarcerated entrepreneur who received priority for a license because he is one of countless Black men who was harmed by the drug war in the 1990s.

But these legitimate businesses are facing stiff competition from shops that are not following the rules. Instead of respect for the law, what we have seen recently is the proliferation of storefronts across New York City, selling unlicensed, unregulated untaxed cannabis products.

Those who flout the cannabis tax laws and regulations are robbing the very communities that are finally on the cusp of benefiting from a just and equitable system.

We cannot allow that. We’re not going to take two steps back by letting illegal smoke shops take over this emerging market, especially when so many of them are selling unlawful and unlicensed products that could seriously harm consumers.

It is time for the operation of illegal cannabis dispensaries to end.

Sheriff Miranda and our partners at the N.Y.P.D. recently took direct action to counter this trend. Over a two-week enforcement blitz, the Sheriff's Office issued 566 violations and seized $4.1 million worth of product at 53 locations.

And this week, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office sent letters to approximately 400 unlicensed smoke shops in Manhattan. The letters state that the city will commence legal eviction proceedings against commercial tenants who are engaged in illegal business activity. That includes the unlicensed sale of cannabis, the sale of untaxed cigarettes, and the sale of adulterated products. If owners and landlords fail to initiate timely eviction proceedings against these commercial tenants, the Sheriff's Office will take over and pursue eviction proceedings. 

While we are not ruling out criminal prosecutions for tax evasion, money laundering, or the sale of cannabis to minors, the focus of this initiative at this time is civil enforcement. We want to give New York's legal cannabis market a chance to thrive — and deliver on the vision of safety, equity and justice that advocates fought for so long. 

CBS New York reported on Mayor Adams' and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's efforts to stop illegal cannabis shops

and here's the full February 7 announcement of their strategy.

Lethargic And Non Responsive Roosevelt Island Dog Taken To Emergency Room, Diagnosed Having Ingested Marijuana - Owner Advises To Watch Out For Weed Paper While Walking Your Dog On Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island resident Mary Cavanaugh reports: 

My sweet dog Maggie 

was in bad shape one evening last week. Lethargic and non responsive. I took her to an emergency room in Manhattan where she was diagnosed as having ingested marijuana. The Vet said Maggie was the third dog to present with that syndrome that day.

I have long noted the ugly presence of cigarette butts all over our Roosevelt Island. I have also noted they are mostly filtered. The Vet explained that marijuana paper is quite thin, as opposed to the filters left over from tobacco, and when the butt is stepped on it rips, exposing the remaining weed.

Since Maggie's illness I have spotted what looked like the remnants of weed paper on the Main St. sidewalk and the East Promenade.

I believe this is a very serious problem and will get worse as pot smoking increases. It seems that our canine population is also increasing.

All dog owners must be warned and vigilant.

UPDATE 9/20 - Here's August 16, 2022 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting discussion with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown on Marijuana smoking.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Says Seems Like Everyone Is Smoking A Joint These Days - Roosevelt Island Residents Agree And Complain To RIOC, Nothing Law Enforcement Can Do Replies Public Safety Chief

New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed a report about 311 odor complaints Friday, saying he smells a lot of marijuana these days. The mayor’s odorous observation came in response to a question about outdoor odor complaints being at an all-time high. https://t.co/AuvmQIROq2 pic.twitter.com/Inva3yGnQQ

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 15, 2022

Many Roosevelt Island residents have been complaining recently about the smell of marijuana prevalent on our public streets, in residential building corridors and coming into their homes from nearby apartments. 

During the August 16 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown addressed the issue of marijuana smoking. According to Chief Brown:

One quality of life issue that that I will talk about ...is marijuana smoking. ... 

I've had discussions with the Manhattan District Attorney's office, I've had discussions with residents. Marijuana possession and smoking up to a certain amount is not against the law. It is decriminalized.

We are constantly called to navigate the decriminalization of marijuana. We're doing the best that we can. We are talking to the buildings, to the residents and trying to keep a handle on this....

RIRA  PSC Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem asked:

What area are you seeing the marijuana smoking?...

Chief Brown answered:

It's not prevalent on the promenades.

It's right on Main Street. The smoking is right in front of the buildings, in the apartments.

No one's hiding from smoking marijuana, it's right out in the open.

We haven't had many complaints of any one smoking in the playgrounds or even the parks. People are just smoking walking down the street... 

Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso reported PSD is getting many complaints from residents about marijuana smoking in nearby apartments.

Chief Brown added about marijuana smoking in the residential buildings:

It's not a Law Enforcement issue. It's almost like if we told somebody to put out a cigarette in their building. They're not committing a crime or even a violation.

Here's the RIRA PSC marijuana discussion with PSD Chief Kevin Brown.

Fox 5 New York has the Do's and Don't of Weed use in NY State.

Roosevelt Island Anti-Marijuana Signage Returns - But For How Long?

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

Ah, Roosevelt Island's controversial anti-marijuana signage is back! (it keeps getting torn down...oddly) pic.twitter.com/rtrkqTQhvh

— Nick Turner (@NewsyNick) August 13, 2017

Last January 5, a Roosevelt Island Community Forum on public marijuana smoking was held.

Here's an excerpt



and more from this prior post.

Election Of RIOC Board Of Director Nominees, Statement On Public Marijuana Smoking, Cornell Tech Integration Task Force & Celebration Of Solidarity & Diversity Among Items On Roosevelt Island Residents Association Agenda This Evening - You're Invited

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will hold it's monthly meeting this evening, February 1, at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

 Image Of November 30, 2016 RIRA Common Council Meeting

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Among the items on tonight's RIRA Agenda are:

• a Government Relations Committee resolution to support election of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors nominees,
• Public Safety Committee statement regarding marijuana smoking,
• A Cornell Tech Integration Task Force and
• A Statement of Solidarity with and Celebration of Island Diversity

Below is the Agenda for tonight's RIRA Meeting.

AGENDA

If at all possible, please arrive 15 mins early to help set up tables and chairs

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard, Basement

1. Public Session (please sign-in to be placed on the Public Session Speaking List)

2. Roll Call of Common Council Members

3.Adoption of Agenda

4. Approval of Minutes
a. November 9, 2016 Minutes
b. November 30, 2016 Minutes
c. January 4, 2017 Minutes

5. Treasurer Pro Tempore Report

6. President’s Report & Businesss
a. President’s Call for Standing Committee Chair, Housing Committee
b. President’s Call to Public for Treasurer
c. President’s Call for Ad Hoc Cornell Integration Task Force

7. Committee Reports

a. Public Safety Committee
i. May 16, 2016 PSC Meeting Minutes
ii. June 21, 2016 PSC Meeting Minutes
iii. September 27, 2016 PSC Meeting Minutes
iv. January 3, 2017 Meeting Minutes
v. January 31, 2017 Meeting Minutes
vi. PSC Committee Report re Public Forum
vii. Resolution to Adopt Public Safety Committee Statement re Legalities of Marijuana (Movant: Erin Feely-Nahem, PSC Committee Chair)

b. Government Relations Committee
i. Resolution to Support Election of RIOC Board Nominees (Movant: Joyce Short, GRC Chair)
ii. Motion to Fund RIOC Board Nominee Election (Movant: Joyce Short, GRC Chair)

c. Island Services Committee

d. SC&E Committee
i. SC&E Committee Report
ii. Egg Hunt Subcommittee Report

e. Budget Committee 8. Old Business
a. Confirmation of Ethics Ad Hoc Committee Membership

9. New Business
a. Discussion: RIRA Statement of Solidarity with and Celebration of Island Diversity (Speaker: Andrew Giacolone, Manhattan Park)

Roosevelt Island residents are encouraged to attend and learn about what is happening on Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island Public Marijuana Smoking Community Forum - Should Response Be Arrest Or Education?

Here's a small portion of tonight's 2 hour community discussion of public marijuana smoking with residents and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD). In videos below, PSD Director Jack McManus replies to questions and comments from those attending.







Will have the full video of event posted soon.

UPDATE 1/30 - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem said the following during the Forum:

Thank you all for coming out, and on such short notice. My name is Erin Feely-Nahem and I am the elected Chair of the RIRA Public Safety Committee.

We have called this meeting tonight, following the terrible incident on January 12, during which a mother was violently attacked, after asking a man to stop smoking marijuana, near a playground.

Although the violent attack remains an isolated occurrence, the first of its kind to have been reported to us, the question of the public smoking of marijuana was first brought to our attention last May, by a parent who expressed exasperation, at having encountered a man, publicly smoking a joint, while she was on her way to work. We began working on this project until the summer break, and continued in September, then again in November with the new Common Council members came aboard

Our discussions, supported by articles shared among committee members, indicated that an educational campaign would be a good starting point and would supplement the efforts of law enforcement, in light of the recent changes in the laws in both New York State and in New York City. Director McManus, who attends our monthly meetings regularly, was helpful in our discussions, educating us on the laws, and on the challenges officers’ encounter when enforcing them.

The recent changes in the drug laws in NYC and NYS, including the decriminalization for the possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana, seemed to have led to misconceptions around the legalities of smoking pot in public.

We decided that we needed to go on a public campaign to respect and comply with the law on this question, which is that the public smoking of marijuana, like open-container public drinking, remains illegal, and violators are subject to summons and arrest.

Our efforts focused on halting public smoking in areas where children congregate. The committee voted to produce a flyer that was readable, educational, and respectful, targeting adolescents and young adults. Our message wasn’t telling them what not to do in a righteous tone, but rather educated them on the law and the consequences of ignoring it, then asked them to respect our children, and their rights to play in a smoke free area..

Inspired by RIRA’s SC&E children’s project “On Roosevelt Island We…” poster campaign, Joanna after speaking to Leila enlisted her son’s class to help us get the message out. Drawings were created that said things like “On Roosevelt Island We don’t smoke, because smoking will make you croak”. We believe that these posters will also encourage dialogue between the parent and their children.

Clearly the violent incident on Jan 12 unsettled the community. Undoubtedly the alleged perpetrator should be held legally accountable for his actions.

Tonight’s Public Forum provides a vehicle to identify our next steps. You, the public, concerned parents, should now seize the opportunity to be part of the solution, sharing your ideas with the PSC, on the ways in which to move forward on this question.

We have a not so distant history on RI from a few years back, which taught us the consequences of a punitive, “Zero Tolerance”, swat-team approach around issues like this. Under the prior administration, mothers were arrested at the tram for pushing their strollers through the gate, or others brutalized for making a u-turn on Main Street. We can deal with this question, of illegal, public pot smoking, especially in areas where children congregate, without going back to that misguided era.

Under Chief McManus, transparency is strived towards, and open communication encouraged. Following this Public Forum the PSC will be taking your ideas and incorporating them in our effort to continue to create smoke-free areas where children congregate. All are welcome to attend our monthly meeting. Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 31st, in the Westview Lower Community room, at 7:00pm. If you can’t attend next week, please remember that Monthly, the PSD leadership is invited to, and attends our meetings, always ready to listen to your concerns, and to be part of the solutions.

Resident Frank Farance adds:

I appreciate the efforts of Jeff Escobar, RIRA President, Erin Feely-Nahem, RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC) Chair, and Jack McManus, PSD Director in their efforts to have a discussion with the residents, to hear their concerns, and for PSD and NYPD to provide insight. Ms. Feely-Nahem and PSD Director McManus both did a great job, and the questions and discussion from the audience was excellent. When I was RIRA President, in 2009 we had a similar forum, and it was helpful then to hear both the perspective of PSD and the residents (and equally well-behaved as last night's event). And we've had a couple more, notably the protests in 2013, in which we were able to address abusive tactics then, which has resulted a different paradigm of Community Policing in the 3.5 years since with the arrival of Jack McManus.

There were five very important moments, which are worth repeating for residents:

#1: The assailant was not a youth (he was middle-aged), and he was not from Roosevelt Island. And the event occurred at the seawall, not at the entrance of RI Day Nursery. And, it turns out there were Public Safety officers within a couple hundred feet (they were doing traffic control for the school), so they would have been there very quickly. So calling Public Safety is your best bet at that point, and don't engage with the person, e.g., taking a cell phone photo.

#2: In response to a question on leniency vs. aggressiveness on arrests/summonses PSD Deputy Director Kevin Brown summarized the issue well: the left side of the room wants me to arrest the person, the right side of the room wants me to be lenient, but you can't have two standards. While I am taking his summary point, there was a fair amount of discussion on this point and I believe the audience left with a better understanding of a complex problem.

#3: The managing agents from Island House and Westview and Manhattan Park were there. Doryne Isley from Roosevelt Landings could not attend, but she provided a statement. Some questions concerned building security, which led to some good discussion. Many of the persistent problems in the buildings (cigarette smoking in the hallways, pot smoking in the stairwells, noise) should be addressed in a three-way approach: the residents (as represented by their tenants association), the managing agent (who is responsible for enforcing the House Rules, not necessarily illegal activities), and Public Safety (who is responsible for law enforcement). Regardless, PSD Director McManus said he has a Open Door policy and will meet with residents (or exchange E-mails, if they prefer).

#4: The NYPD officers reminded the residents that Public Safety is the first responders, and PSD will get you the quickest response. PSD Director McManus stated that Roosevelt Island has the fastest response time of any community in New York City. It is very important for residents to report problems to Public Safety.

#5: RIOC is starting their third phase of camera deployment, which will include the east seawall behind Roosevelt Landings and Lighthouse Park.

I hope residents will attend the next RIRA PSC meeting, which is January 31 at 7 PM in the Westview (625 Main) Lower Community Room; and attend future monthly meetings of the committee.

There has been an arrest for the assault of Roosevelt Island Mom who objected to man smoking marijuana near children's playground.

Following Assault Of Roosevelt Island Mom, Residents Holding Community Meeting With RIOC Public Safety Director To Do Something About Marijuana Smoking In Public Wednesday January 25 - Online Petition & Survey Too

Shortly after 3 PM on January 12, a Roosevelt Island Mom picked up her son at the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery. As the mom and son were walking home on the Roosevelt Island waterfront West Promenade, she saw a man smoking marijuana next to the playground filled with children. The mom asked the man to stop smoking marijuana. The man refused and assaulted the mom, knocking her to the ground, kicking her and cursing. (More details of the incident at this previous post).

In response to this incident, and the great concern it has raised among many in the community, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) is holding a Public Forum on the subject with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus and Deputy Director Kevin Brown.

According to RIRA PSC Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem:

 There is a Public Forum scheduled on Wednesday January 25 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of The Good Shepherd. The Forum is being held to allow residents a venue in which to express any concerns they have. This is being initiated following the recent assault on the mom, near the playground next to the RIDN.

RIRA President Jeff Escobar adds:

Please note that this Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 7pm upstairs at the Good Shepherd Chapel, the Public Safety Committee along with RIOC and the Public Safety Department will be holding a Public Forum to discuss the January 12 incident, the current status of the incident, hear community concerns, and to have an open dialogue with the community on what steps are being taken to prevent such incidents from happening again, as well as what we as individual members of the community can and should do when faced with such situations and what initiatives we as a community can and will be undertaking to curtail the open use of substances in and near our Island public spaces.

My personal kudos and thanks to the Public Safety Committee and its Chair and Members for their quick responsiveness and pulling of the event together, as well as RIOC and the PSD. Understanding the short notice of the event (but necessary), please let us make every effort to attend (as well our constituents). With a strong showing and attendance we can be sure RIOC will be responsive to future such dialogues and forums when our community needs the same the most.

Some Roosevelt Island residents have started a petition on Change.org to demonstrate their great concern about this issue demanding:

PSD - Do Something About the Marijuana Problem on Roosevelt Island!

Drug use has become a real issue here on Roosevelt Island. People are smoking and dealing marijuana up and down both the East and West seawalls, within 50 feet of schools, outside the Manhattan Park theater club and playroom, in residential building hallways and stairwells, and next to sport fields and parks that are full of children. Most recently, a request to stop smoking near the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery turned violent.

This community is growing, and with Cornell rapidly completing construction, we need to ensure that our community remains safe. Public Safety needs to take a strong stand against drug use, or we must work with the city and state to get a NYPD presence here to protect our families.

By signing this petition, I am showing that I am deeply concerned about this issue, about the overall safety here on the Island, and the apparent lack of proper response from PSD and other RI leaders.

If you agree with the petition statement, sign online here.

Read the reasons your Roosevelt Island neighbors signed this petition.

The Roosevelt Island Parents' Network asks you to fill out this online survey describing any problems you may have experienced with marijuana smoking in public. According to the RIPN survey:

... if you have encountered issues with second hand marijuana and would like to communicate it with PSD, please fill out the following survey and we will submit them to PSD and RIOC (and possibly have them work with building management offices too) -- we're not collecting your name or email address, therefore all the stories will remain anonymous. Let's work together to have our voice heard, so PSD can put forward more actions to protect the health of our families and children! Thanks very much for your help!

You can participate in the survey here.

More on the January 12 assault on the Roosevelt Island Mom here.

UPDATE 1/25 - Here's video from portion of tonight's Public Forum.

Roosevelt Island Mom Assaulted After Asking Man To Stop Smoking Marijuana Next To Playground Filled With Children Yesterday - Safety Of Our Children And Their Parents Paramount Says RIOC Public Safety Chief

Talia is a Roosevelt Island Mom. She reports:

I wanted to share with you a difficult experience I had, yesterday.

I went to the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery (RIDN) in Manhattan Park to pickup my son at 3pm. We left there walking on the west boardwalk towards home. We saw a guy next to the playground smoking marijuana. The smell was very strong, the guy smoked without fear of anyone (the playground was full of children).

I went to him with a smile and told him, please sir do not smoke here, so close to our children, the children can smell it, (I know it was stupid of me to contact him but I approached him with such a polite smile. ..) He started cursing at me with so many curses, I'm ashamed to tell you, and threatened me to stay away.

I told him I was calling the police, walked away and I took a picture of him. The guy ran at me, knocking me to the floor, kicked me in the leg, took my phone and threw it to the floor. He tried to break my phone, I told him to stop, I will delete your picture. He deleted the image and threatened me.

I called the police, and I filed a police report. I do not understand what is happening to our amazing island? It’s so creepy here, why don't the police do anything? Wherever you go, you smell marijuana? Why should our children have to suffer passive smoke from these drugs?

I have back pain, leg pain after he kicked me, and abrasions with blood in hand.

So sad but we all ok now.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Public Safety Director Jack McManus:

... what is being done to prevent marijuana smoking in outdoor public areas particularly where children are nearby?

 Image of Roosevelt Island Playground and West Promenade From Google Maps

Public Safety Director McManus replied:

We are aware of this incident and have taken steps to address it.

The safety and welfare of our children and their parents is paramount and is treated as such on a daily basis. Each day, at both arrival and dismissal times, we deploy a PSD supervisor and 4 to 5 PSD officers to ensure that the children and their parents arrive at and leave school in a safe and orderly manner. We ensure that the children cross safely by managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the vicinity of the schools and, in addition, provide patrols by PSD officers in areas around the schools.

We have received complaints of marijuana smoking along the paths adjacent to the sea wall and have addressed these complaints with PSD patrols. I will increase patrols along the sea wall during both arrival and dismissal times and provide random patrols at other times.

Our patrols have resulted in both arrests and the issuance of Criminal Court Summonses and that enforcement will continue. Folks should call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 to report any offenses that are observed, and PSD officers will respond and take corrective action which may include the arrest or summonsing of the offending individual.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee discussed the issue of marijuana smoking in public next to schools during their January 3 meeting. RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem issued the following statement upon learning of yesterday's incident:

The reported violent assault on a women, accompanied by her child, in front of the playground near the  Roosevelt Day Nursery, after requesting that the alleged perpetrator refrain from smoking marijuana in front of the children, is completely unacceptable. The assailant should be held legally accountable.

The Public Safety Committee (PSC) is initiating a campaign in favor of no smoke areas where parents,with young children are present.

The following statement, which will be distributed throughout the community, was approved by the Public Safety Committee on January 3, 2017 as part of an educational campaign.

PSC Statement on Legalities of Marijuana

The RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC) has received some complaints regarding the public smoking of marijuana in various locations, including near or around PS/IS 217 and other areas where parents with young children are present.

The smoking of marijuana in public places remains illegal. Violators are subject to summons and a time-consuming and potentially damaging expedition through the NYC Criminal Justice bureaucracy.

The PSC is sympathetic to parents who do not wish their children to be subjected to second-hand marijuana smoke in the areas cited above. We would like to ask the community to respect community members’ request that areas around children’s’ play area or schools remain smoke free.

The PSC, does not favor a "harsh crackdown" on individuals, often young adults, who might engage in this offense publically, due to misconceptions about the recent easing of the law, instead we wish to emphasize the following::

The PSC asks that voluntary self-restraint and consideration guide future behavior in regard to this issue.

Here's a portion of the January 3 RIRA Public Safety Committee



discussion on public marijuana smoking near schools.

Roosevelt Island Roosevelt Landings Residents Thanked By Building Management Urban American For Providing Information On Illegal Activities In Apartments And Public Hallways - Will Continue To Improve Quality Of Life For Roosevelt Landings Residents Says UA

Residents of Roosevelt Island's Roosevelt Landings

 Image Of Roosevelt Landings

received the following notice

from their building management, Urban American, yesterday. According to the notice:

Dear Residents

I'd like to thank all the Residents who came forward providing Management and the Police Department with information and personal observations regarding individuals in you building who engage in illegal activities.

We will continue to work with Public Safety and our Police Department to improve the "quality of life" for all our residents. Management is collecting camera images of those responsible for these activities and providing this footage to the NYPD.

It is important for our Resident's to understand that the smoking of illegal substances behind your closed doors or in public hallways will not be tolerated. For those Residents engaging in this activity, Management will consider the non-renewal of leases and report this behavior to the appropriate authorities, including City, State and Federal Agencies. We strongly encourage parents to monitor the behavior of their children and visitors.

Please know that all information provided to Management, Public Safety or NYPD is considered confidential.

Thank you.

Urban American

Last February, residents of Roosevelt Landings brought their concerns about quality of life issues, such as teens smoking and loitering in the hallways, to a meeting of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee and asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus for assistance.

Here's a portion of that discussion.



More of the discussion here.

Roosevelt Island Residents Seek RIOC Public Safety Help Stopping Marijuana Smoking And Loitering Inside Urban American Roosevelt Landings Hallways And Staircases

As reported February 8:

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Director Jack McManus told the January 27 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting that according to the FBI's seven index crime statistics, Roosevelt Island is "the safest place in New York City"...

However, residents of Urban American's Roosevelt Landings

are very concerned about public safety issues inside their buildings.

Roosevelt Landings Service Committee Chair Romano Reid organized a group of residents to attend the January 27 meeting and advise RIOC Public Safety Department Director McManus and Deputy Director Lynda Marmara about issues with young people smoking marijuana and loitering in the hallways, staircases and apartments.

Here's portion of the discussion.



One Roosevelt Landings resident went as far as asking if a common space could be set aside far away from residents' apartments for marijuana smoking so that it would not bother others (at the 3 minute 25 second mark). Director McManus replied that he saw that scenario on the HBO Series The WIRE, but could not condone similar tactics here on Roosevelt Island.

Another resident asked for security cameras to be placed in the hallways but Director McManus said that was up to the Roosevelt Landings building management, not RIOC, to implement.



During the meeting, Doryne Isely of Urban American's Roosevelt Landings management phoned in to the group offering to meet and discuss these issues.

Roosevelt Landings Service Committee Chair Romano Reid reports about the buildings safety issues and meeting with Ms. Isely to seek improvements:

Because Roosevelt Landings is the largest building on Roosevelt Island comprised of (9) buildings, there has been a history in Roosevelt Landings of quality of life violations. Some of which are children playing in the hallways, and people from other communities and buildings loitering in the halls at all times of the day and night. The violations have now extended into the smoking of various substances in public areas, sexual acts being performed in remote areas of the building,the starting of various fires in the AVAC's .

The residents and it's leadership have had enough!! As a direct result of these disruptions, the leadership of Roosevelt Landings residents brought our concerns to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Committee on 1/27/2016. At this venue residents were able to express our discontent to Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus and Deputy Director Lynda Marmara.

As a follow-up to the 1/26 meeting, our group was also invited to meet with the management of Urban American the following week to further address these concerns.

During this February 3rd meeting with Urban American management there were several recommendations proposed by the buildings "Tenant Service board" as it relates to improving the safety & security within the building. As the buildings Chairman, I am devoted to working with residents & Management alike to bring about the necessary improvements to Roosevelt Landings.

RIOC Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus adds:

We look forward to continuing to work with the residents on this difficult issue. We have doubled,(and on some days and nights tripled), the commitment of officers patrolling Urban American buildings due to complaints of teenagers/young adults hanging out, making unreasonably noise, and smoking marijuana in the halls and stairwells of these buildings.

Personnel from the 114th Precinct are very visible in these buildings performing vertical patrols both jointly with PSD and independently as well. We have made at least three (3) arrests over the last two (2) weeks for trespassing and other public nuisance related violations. It remains illegal to smoke marijuana in public and we will continue to summons/arrest violators of this law.

Through our own observation and encounters, as well as that of the NYPD, the vast majority of young adults that we encounter, summons or arrest are Roosevelt Island residents. As we continue to address this issue, I am requesting that parents of resident teenagers/young adults discourage their children from hanging out in the hallways and staircases of any building on Roosevelt Island as it is presently the number one (1) complaint that we are receiving from Island residents over the last several months.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Below are recent Public Safety Incident Reports occurring at Roosevelt Landings:

02/15/16- 1620- 546 Main St.- Illegal Substance Use- PSD responded. Canvass made, negative results.

02/16/16 – 1918 – 510 Main St – Possible illegal substance use – PSD responded - Condition unfounded.

02/17/16 – 0049 – 580 Main St – Possible illegal substance – PSD & NYPD responded – Condition unfounded.

2/17/16 – 2114 – 510 Main St. – Possible Illegal Substance Use – PSD responded, Negative results

2/19/16 – 1956 – 540 Main St – Disorderly Group – PSD responded – Condition Corrected.

2/20/16 - 0108 – 580 Main St – Disorderly Group – PSD responded – Condition corrected.

Roosevelt Island Drug Use - Public Safety Says They Are Aware Of Problem and Increasing Patrols

Image From RI 311 See Click Fix

According to a June 10 report submitted to the RI 311 See Click Fix System:

I have noticed an increasing number of baggies near the 40 River Road bus stop and in the park circled by River Road. Please increase patrols to discourage drug use in this are.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) responded to the report:

Issue Closed

Public Safety will increase patrol of the area in question, as they are aware of the situation.

Yesterday, I sent the following message to RIOC Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra:

The 6/12 - 13 Public Safety report indicated:

Arrest- Unlawful Dealing with child/Criminal Possession of Marijuana - PSD arrested the subject

Can you provide any additional information regarding this incident? How old was the child, where did this occur, when and any other relevant context. There is no need for any names of those involved.

Thank you.

RIOC's Press Spokesperson replied:

Here is the additional information that we can provide you:

Date: Tuesday June 12, 2012
Time: 6:42PM
Location: Rear of 900 Main St.
Injuries: None

The Roosevelt Island 24 Hour Public Safety reports are published daily and archived on Roosevelt Islander sidebar.