Who’s Minding the Store? is a series begun in 2016, shortly after The Daily set up shop. Discovering screwups has a certainty ratio identical to that of cats instantly falling in love with new boxes. #303 sets a stellar example.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Who’s Minding the Store? #303
Under this subject line, “PSD Community Workshop Series | Preparedness,” the state agency that never gets it wrong offered this information:
This is an important message from the RIOC Advisories alert system:
Please click here to acknowledge receipt of this message
In this two hour panel presented by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) in partnership with New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), you will learn best practices when it comes to planning for disasters and how to be resilient in emergency situations that could include power outages, flooding, and evacuations.
RIOC Advisories, September 16th, 2021
In addition, you’ll learn why preparedness plans and kits are not one-size-fits-all, understand community and government response, and go over common insurance questions.
What you learn in this workshop could save your life and the lives of those around you. Sign up today! (rioc.ny.gov/590)
So, what’s wrong with that? Why is The Daily picking on RIOC? Again.
What’s wrong? Nearly everything. The basic requirements for activity announcements include: What? When? And Where?
“What” is easy because it’s right there in the title. They nailed it. PSD is hosting a community workshop on preparedness. And RIOC’s vaunted Communications Team thoughtfully elaborates in the content.
But sadly that’s it. When? Where? We don’t know, not from this. Sure, if you click on the concluding link, you’ll get a date for this workshop, but not a time or a location.
RIOC’s Communications and Community Relations Team, which controls roughly 50% of the agency’s activities with scant oversight, consists of four well-paid, full time employees.
Who’s Minding the Store? Conclusion
Good sports, we here at The Daily volunteered immediately to help out…
“Wouldn’t it be oh so helpful if you included the date and time of this class in your announcement?” we emailed.
We hadn’t noticed the missing location yet. But just to be sure, we sent the message to President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes and his power sharing partner Erica Spencer-EL. Spencer-EL directs the Team responsible for the announcement. We included PSD Chief Kevin Brown as well as his assistant Anthony Amaroso.
We were confident they would appreciate our thoughtful message, but even we were surprised when the super secret state did nothing.
The lack of response was no surprise because RIOC’s nurtured a media blackout for over a year, targeting The Daily especially. What surprised was their failure to correct with a follow up email blast. But that seemed beyond their reach.
And then, of course, they’d have raised the standard for accountability and community respect. Who wants that? Next thing you know, people would expect it from them all the time.
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- MTA Launches Six-Year Signal and Track Overhaul on A and C Subway LinesThe MTA launches a six-year signal and track overhaul on A and C subway lines, bringing CBTC and major infrastructure upgrades to the Fulton and Liberty Avenue corridors through 2032.
- Long Island City Rent Overcharge Lawsuit Seeks $50 Million Against DeveloperA Long Island City rent overcharge lawsuit seeks about $50 million from Rockrose Development, raising questions about billing practices, tenant protections, and legal oversight in NYC’s fast-changing rental market.
- Astoria E-Scooter Rider Dies After Northern Boulevard Crash in Long Island CityA 22-year-old Astoria e-scooter rider died after a Northern Boulevard crash in Long Island City. Details remain under investigation, highlighting micromobility risks on busy city streets.
- Hate Crime Charges Filed After Vandalism at Fresh Meadows Kosher Bagel ShopHate crime charges have been filed after vandalism at a kosher bagel shop in Fresh Meadows, with prosecutors alleging bias-motivated acts. Hearings are set in New York’s legal process.
- Midtown Subway Shooting Leaves 26-Year-Old Dead; Queens Incidents SeparateA shooting inside a Manhattan subway station left a 26-year-old dead. Police investigate the Midtown incident and separate shootings in Queens as commuters seek safety.
Ten Years, or Another Temporary Fix?
Roosevelt Island was built through public investment, then expected to support itself through development. The ten-year lease extension gives RIOC a rare chance to replace short-term deals with a financial system designed to outlast the people approving them.
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