Two weeks ago, we reported on RIOC’s stunning refusal of following the law or using just plain common sense. Being RIOC involved forcing pedestrians, strollers and wheelchairs to walk in the street. Guess what? They’re doing it again, and this time, it’s worse.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Being RIOC means never having to say, “Do the right thing.”
Construction fence does not leave 5 feet for pedestrians
When an encroaching construction fence does not leave 5 feet of clear sidewalk passage for pedestrians, the DOT requires a temporary pedestrian walkway in the road. This walkway must be 5 feet in width, clearly marked and accessible. A temporary pedestrian walkway in the road must be as safe as the pre-construction condition. An Occupancy of Sidewalk Permit is also required when 5 feet of clear walkway is not available.
Decoder: Walk This Way
Being RIOC also means, it appears, never bothering with permits, no matter the law, or considering the safety of people who live and work on Roosevelt Island.
We are committed to protecting and serving the community by providing a safe and secure environment and enforcing local, state, and federal laws.
RIOC Annual Report
All a fella can say is, “Really?”
Roosevelt Islanders chuck in $4 million a year for Public Safety, and here’s the best they can do.

More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment reportRIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
- Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still DisruptedThe Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
- A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredA different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
- Flushing Spa Murder: Man Charged After Woman Found Stabbed to DeathFlushing spa murder investigation leads to a murder charge against a 54-year-old man after a woman was found fatally stabbed in a Queens storefront.
Stack Work Advances While Answers Do Not
On June 17 and 18, HPD told the first meeting of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant Demolition Community Advisory Group that smokestack demolition had no projected start date. Residents and the CAG would receive at least five business days’ advance notice once a date was set. Scaffolding around the stacks could not proceed until soil removal and backfill were complete and the area stabilized.










