NYPD Auxiliary Officers Undercover Sting Makes 3 Marijuana Buys At Roosevelt Island Main Street Smoke Shop Earlier This Summer - One Month Later Smoke Shop Is Closed

 Reported last August 17 that the Roosevelt Island Smoke Shop on Main Street:

... packed up and moved out last night....

which was confirmed by Main Street retail master leaseholder Hudson Related:

Confirmed!

The tenant and Hudson Related came to an agreement where they surrendered the space. We are working on a new concept and hope to share more information soon. We are glad to put this behind us and look forward to bringing a quality tenant and use to the island.

We learned more about the circumstances surrounding the removal of the Smoke Shop from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown during the September 19 RIOC Public Safety Community Engagement meeting. According to Chief Brown, the process of removing the Smoke Shop began during the June 13 RIOC PSD Community Engagement meeting when NYPD 114 precinct Lieutenant Dickson learned of the problems at the smoke shop from Roosevelt Island community members. Chief Brown reported:

We had a number of community complaints about the smoke shop that was right across the street from Public Safety. These smoke shops have popped up all over the city.  They are a nuisance. Ours is gone....

And this why... community pressure ... NYPD played an instrumental role and I can tell you how. The Lieutenant was here that night and he heard a lot of the community complaints. There is s a program, and it's not a secret, but there is a program in NYPD where they have undercover auxiliary officers who are under the age of 21. They go into these smoke shops. They make buys. They were they were selling marijuana in the smoke shop.

... Then there's a process where the City then evicts them from their storefront. When the lieutenant was here, we went to the top of their list and he took care of that in one month. He made three buys in the location they were served and then they were gone.

That's how these community meeting are very, very helpful. That we can hear you. We hear your voice. We want to make sure that we're going to keep our place a very very safe place in New York City...

Here's what Chief Brown said.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Smoke Shop Packed Up And Moved Out Last Night - Hudson Related Working On New Concept And Quality Tenant For The Space

A Roosevelt Island Tipster reported last night: 

The Stationery/Smoking/Paraphernalia  shop is at this moment packing up and leaving Roosevelt Island

Today, I asked Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson Related's David Kramer:

It looks like the Smoke shop packed up and moved out last night.

Is that true?

Any comment on the removal of smoke shop and plans for the space? 

A Hudson Related representative answered:

Confirmed!

The tenant and Hudson Related came to an agreement where they surrendered the space. We are working on a new concept and hope to share more information soon. We are glad to put this behind us and look forward to bringing a quality tenant and use to the island.

Hudson Related had initiated eviction proceedings against the tenant. A Hudson Related spokesperson reported last year:

We are using all our legal recourses to have the tenant either comply with the agreed use or give us back the space

The current use is not in accordance with the lease agreement and we don't condone their operation.

We are extremely frustrated with the operation and direction of the store. We work very hard to procure the right mix of retail to offer the island's residents. It is very upsetting when we have a rogue tenant.

The store located at 559 Main Street opened in 2022 

was supposed to be a stationery/gift shop, not a smoke shop.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Smoke Shop/Stationery Store Being Evicted, Trial Scheduled For June 27 Says Hudson Related Representative During Public Safety Department Community Engagement Meeting

During the June 13 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Community Engagement meeting, Hudson Related representative Ralph Yoakam reported that the Main Street Smoke Shop/Stationery Store 

was in the process of being evicted and that a trial was scheduled for June 27. Mr Yoakam added that since the last eviction proceedings, the tenant removed "alot of the questionable material" from the store.

I followed up the next day asking Hudson Related:

During the June 13 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Community Engagement meeting, Related's Ralph Yoakam said that on June 27 an eviction trial against the Stationary/Smoke shop is commencing and added that a stipulation might be entered before the trial date.

I thought there was a stipulation entered several months ago during eviction proceedings?

A Hudson Related spokesperson replied:

We have a draft stipulation ready for execution for the last two months, but the tenant and his team have refused to sign it.

Watch the full hour long Roosevelt Island Public Safety meeting at this prior post.

UPDATE 6/29 - According to a Hudson Related representative:

The Judge has adjourned trial to August 7.

Watch Video Of Very Informative June 13 RIOC Public Safety Department Community Engagement Meeting With Roosevelt Island Residents - Topics Include Recent Crime Updates, Smoke Shop, Tram Lines, Illegal Parking, Marijuana Smoking, Bread & Butter Construction, Southpoint Park July 4 Closing And More

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) hosted a  community engagement meeting last night at the Good Shepherd Chapel.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s PSD Community Engagement meeting, we greatly appreciate the open and honest dialogue on the important island issues. Special thank you as well to Related and the NYPD 114th for participating in the meeting! pic.twitter.com/rjt81BFLaM

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) June 14, 2023

RIOC PSD Chief Kevin Brown, Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso, Hudson Related's Ralph Yoakam, NYPD 114 precinct Lieutenant Dickson and about 35 Roosevelt Island residents attended the hour long meeting. 

Chief Brown began the meeting reviewing and updating recent Roosevelt Island crime incidents followed by Mr Yoakam who reported on 

1. the pending eviction proceedings against the Stationery/Smoke shop and 
2. the Bread & Butter Deli construction work being done at Island House without the landlord's approval.

Among the other Roosevelt Island public safety issues discussed were:

1. Roosevelt Island Tram Lines - how to make it easier for residents to get back and forth on the Tram when it is crowded with tourists. Use Metro Card to skip in front of line, said Chief Brown. Priority boarding for residents was also discussed but dismissed by Chief Brown using the F train analogy again.
   
2. Illegal Parking on Main Street - suggestions included issuing more tickets, towing illegally parked cars and issuing parking sticker permits for residents only.
   
3. Marijuana smoking on Main Street - Nothing can be done because Manhattan DA's office will not prosecute for smoking marijuana.
4. Security during Pride Month events.
5. Southpoint Park closing during July 4 Fireworks celebration due to NYPD security precautions.
   

Watch video of the full meeting.

PSD Chief Kevin Brown did an excellent job moderating the meeting and responding to concerns.

Yesterday, a Roosevelt Island Tipster reported:

This morning 11.30 on my way to the subway (I am resident of the island), I was attacked by a confused but aggressive man just in front of Starbucks. This man shout on me, kicked my cart and spit on me. People around did not move at all.

I called public safety as they were not there. Where are they? Why are they not staying in that location where all the neighborhood is passing by? At least they have to install cameras to monitor the aggressions.

I can’t believe this is happening here at Roosevelt Island. 

and sent an email to Chief Brown about the incident. 

Chief Brown replied:

I am extremely sorry for your incident today. The person who you spoke about was a male who was apprehended by the Roosevelt Island PSD officers. The male was evaluated by NYC EMS and was transported to NY Presbyterium hospital as an Emotionally Disturbed Person. Again, I am sorry for your incident but anytime you have any incident please call RIOC PSD we will always respond as quickly as possible.

The Tipster replied to Chief Brown:

Thank you very much for your quick course of action. Thankfully you are around. Is there any plan to improve the safety around the subway station as this episode is just one among others? Did you evaluate the potential of having video recordings or stationary PS agents?

I am not concern for myself but for our community, including the youngest and the oldest, who may not be able to handle the situation with someone who was trained to fight (as this man mentioned).

I will attend the meeting tonight.

This incident was mentioned during the Public Safety meeting last night. Chief Brown noted that the the emotionally disturbed person was apprehended by a Public Safety Officer 4 minutes after receiving a call about the matter. 

The Tipster noted:

The chief was very satisfied by the 4 minutes spent to arrest this man, I am more concerned by the absence of prevention of such unfortunate events.