The NYPD 114 precinct, which covers Roosevelt Island, wants us to be aware of phone, text and email scams.
If you receive a call, text or email instructing you to purchase prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency or money orders to pay for things like IRS Taxes, Utility Company Bills to avoid service interruption and other like the ones listed on this flyer.....HANG UP! It’s a SCAM! #NYPDpic.twitter.com/Y3wvdJi6w4
11/23/19 – 2100 – 580 Main Street – Grand Larceny – PSD/NYPD responded – Condition corrected.
In response to my inquiry seeking more details, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Terrence McCauley answered:
It was a confidence scheme involving an Island resident. We would not feel comfortable sharing more details than that out of concern for the alleged victim’s privacy.
I followed up asking:
Is it possible to give more details so that other possible victims may be aware and not be a victim of similar attempts?
This scheme is one that involves “ catfishes “ a person or persons (perpetrators) pretends to be a love interest and retrieves personal information from the victim and then the perpetrators tells the victims they will share their information if they don’t pay cash usually through a wire transfer.
On November 1, NYPD 114 precinct Crime Prevention Officer Gabe Tovar spoke to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council about recent burglaries as well as phone scams involving false claims of being with the IRS, Con Ed and others.
#PhoneScam: Victim received a phone call from someone pretending to be the #IRS, demanding “back taxes” payment or he would be arrested.
Officer Tovar advised to hang up if you receive these types of phone calls.
About Roosevelt Island, Officer Tovar said:
... this is a very, very safe Island...
The RIRA Public Safety Committee usually meets every month, often with Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus and Deputy Chief Kevin Brown.
Below is the RIRA PSC report of the October 30 meeting.
RIRA – PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Committee Meeting Minutes – 10/30/2017
Updates on Statistic:
Vertical Patrols: Statistics indicate that the WIRE building’s are receiving the appropriate number of patrols for a total in September of 937:
Roosevelt Landings 690,
Island House 105,
WestView 97,
Rivercross 45,
Motorgate Patrols for September 385.
Crime Statistic: Chief McManus presented crime Statistics which indicated that for the year from September 2016 - September 2017 the following:
Total number of misdemeanors decreased, 77 - 66;
violations-non- crimes decreased, 452 -390; and
Index Crimes increased, 22 - 25.
Chief McManus also reported that crime had decreased on the Island since he had started by 19% between 2014 and 2015.
Recent Incidents:
Chief McManus responded to questions related to the recent burglaries in Westview and on the recent stabbing behind 510.
Burglary was in Westview, no forced entry, perp wearing black mask. Was caught on WV camera when running downstairs, and at door station.
He was identified, and is attached to 2 other burglaries. He was identified and arrested.
The Stabbing victim is uncooperative, and is from off Island. Hasn’t provided much information to work with. There are no working cameras behind 510, (Presently there are also no cameras in Lighthouse Park, which is part of Phase II) which makes identifying where and what he was doing difficult.
Officer Training:
Deputy Kevin Brown is scheduled to conduct quarterly training. 3rd quarter training was focusing on CPR, Curtesy, Professionalism, Respect. 13 Officers were scheduled for tonight where specific reports will be used. Customer service skills are stressed.
Accuracy in reporting:
Update on steps that will be taken to guarantee that PSD Blotter accurately reflect documented complaint/incident was discussed.
Chief McManus stated that they would now provide one more Supervisor review, prior to publishing. In the past there was a 24 hour recap. The additional Supervisory review will probably make the 24 hr. turn around more difficult, but should improve accuracy.
The need for this was brought to light following an incident of Public Lewdness that occurred on 9/7/17 which had been incorrectly documented on the blotter and in the Desk Officer’s initial call for assistance as “Suspicious Activity,” and as a request for an escort.
Traffic Issues:
In discussing traffic issues in the Octagon area, as documented in Scott Piro’s report, Chief McManus reported that speed bumps were being considered and that due to the speeding, in certain areas on the Island, they would be training the PSO in using the radar guns, and are considering stepping up enforcement following the training.
The Chief mentioned that there was a new Security Director at Coler Hospital who he would be meeting with. He was attempting to create a multi- facetted approach to look at traffic control considering ways to deal with motorized bikes, etc.
Chief McManus reported that an accident had occurred down by South Park, where Off-Island youth, driving without appropriate license damaged the fence down at the park when their vehicle ran into the fence. Chief also mentioned that the NYC DOT had come out and assessed our street markings and that they would be refreshing all traffic markings.
Public Marijuana Use:
Openly smoking Marijuana in the area where children congregate appeared to have decreased, according to committee member Joanna, who assisted with the educational initiative and the creation of the signs. She requested the committee consider replacing the signs that had been vandalized, and put them back up.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin Feely-Nahem, PSC Committee Chair
Chief McManus provided an update on the October 27 stabbing during the November 29 RIRA PSC meeting.
Below is the RIRA PSC report of the November 29 meeting.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
