Face mask compliance among Red Bus riders improved recently, and now RIOC’s public safety department steps up enforcement. But success is limited as long as Roosevelt Island neighbors refuse to help out.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
How PSD Steps Up Its Game
Better late than never, on Monday, we found PSD adding spot checks on Red Buses, conducted by uniformed officers. On the bus we rode, an officer boarded, walked the aisle, confirming full compliance before letting the trip resume.
Meticulous, she ordered at least one passenger to raise her mask higher and cover her nose. Education plus enforcement.
While this takes pressure off drivers, the driver also pitched in. After the officer left, he handed out a face mask as a young man entered, telling him it was required.
Credit where credit’s due, Chief Kevin Brown’s department stepped up creatively. It saves lives, and if continued may get us out of pandemic restrictions sooner than later.
But then…
Even as PSD steps up enforcement, we soon saw how hard it is protecting against Red Bus riders who insist on putting their neighbors at risk.
As news of coronavirus variants increasing case loads hits front pages, stubborn resistance remains. Young people, especially those under twelve, face increasing risk while, at the same time, doctors say that the lifetime effects of long COVID are as scary as they are unknown.
PSD’s doing its part, but without good neighbors, unnecessary risks for vulnerable residents will rise.
And it’s getting near the point where you throw up your hands in frustration over the lack of cooperation. Is putting children at risk worth it for evading the minor inconvenience of wearing a face mask for a few minutes?
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- A Week in the Rhythm: How Roosevelt Island Connects With the City’s StoriesA week in the rhythm of Roosevelt Island brings highlights from city stories—including public safety, community events, transit updates, and local culture—that shape life on the Island and nearby Queens.
- Steadiness and Support Connecting Roosevelt Island and Queens CommunitiesExplore how steadiness and support connect Roosevelt Island and Queens communities during recent local incidents, summer programs, and shared acts of care.
- How Roosevelt Island Stays Connected to City Life Through Everyday RoutinesSee how the Roosevelt Island connection to city life is shaped by daily routines, transit changes, safety updates, and neighborhood events across the city.
- What This Week’s Events Reveal About New York City LifeExplore what this week’s events reveal about New York City life, from public health updates to moments of neighborly support and resilience.
- Roosevelt Island Fourth of July: Local Reflections on the 250th Independence DayDiscover how Roosevelt Island celebrated the Fourth of July for the nation’s 250th Independence Day, with local stories, citywide traditions, and reflections on neighbors and community.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
