The child hit in a crosswalk, yesterday, was the third on Roosevelt Island in two months. Multiple reports say RIOC’s Public Safety Department refused a request for protection during a Halloween party, claiming they were “understaffed.”
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Child Hit After PSD Refuses A Request for Help
Monster Bash, an early Halloween Party for kids at Capobianco Field, came to a halt at 5:00 as emergency vehicles rushed to aid a child hit by a car. Reports are sketchy, of course, with RIOC bunkered in its defensive shell, offering nothing. But multiple witnesses say a girl was struck in or near the PS/IS 217 marked crosswalk. Her injuries, fortunately, are reportedly not serious.
Less than an hour earlier, parents concerned over kids attending the event say they called Public Safety, asking for help. PSD, they add, refused their requests, claiming they were “understaffed.” Just last week, after a dog was hit and killed, assistant chief Anthony Amorosa used the same excuse for letting cars, bikes and scooters overrun the promenades.

Understaffed? Since RIOC president/CEO seized space in Blackwell House, PSD stations one officer full time, protecting him downstairs. While Haynes is among the most disliked among RIOC chiefs, there have been no known threats on his safety. But his predecessors, Susan Rosenthal and Charlene Indelicato, routinely walked around, interacting with residents.
Going back further, Steve Shane encouraged people to stop by his office, with or without appointments.
See also: Where the Hell Are They, our report on the invisible Public Safety Department, back in April.
For the Record
According to their own reports, PSD’s 50 member staff handles only 220 reportable incidents per month. That’s all of 4.4 for each, roughly one every six days. The highest number is for standing by, directing traffic, while off-island first responders handle 911 calls.
Maybe PSD needs a better excuse than understaffing for all the failures and incompetence.
We will try following up on this, but considering that RIOC still refuses supplying details on the death in Sportspark in May or on two women hit by cars in August, don’t expect much until when and if Albany clears out the mess festering, wasting tax dollars at RIOC.
In spite of accumulating complaints, the new Hochul administration seems as disinclined to help Roosevelt Island as Cuomo’s was. Political patronage has a firm, protective grip on continuing – and now dangerous – mismanagement here.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Storms, Heat Waves and Car Crashes: Inside Con Ed’s Summer Emergency DrillSamantha Maldonado, The City This article was originally published on Jun 5 5:00am EDT by THE CITY It was the morning of Sept. 3. The previous night, a storm barrelled through the New York City region, knocking down trees and powerlines, flooding roads and leaving 300,000 Con Ed customers without electricity. Then, a three-day heat
- If It’s Now The Safest Place On Earth, What’s With The Competing Safety Meetings?RIOC’s chaotic communications operation may be outdoing itself with an unexplained overload of public safety meetings. Reschedules of never announced events dribble out in advisories, and PSD and NYPD may have gotten a divorce. Here’s what we know. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News Let’s start with a reality check that RIOC would
- The ‘Black Benjie Way’: Bronx Peacemaker Whose Killing Led To Gang Truce Honored With Street NamingJonathan Custodio, The City This article was originally published on Jun 3 2:26pm EDT by THE CITY More than 50 years after he lost his life serving as a peacemaker in the South Bronx, the intersection of East 165 Street and Rogers Place in Longwood has been officially renamed Cornell “Black Benjie” Benjamin Way. The
- Things To Consider When Relocating Your OfficeAre you planning to relocate your business’s office? Consider these tips to reduce stress and make the process go more smoothly for you and your team.
- NYC Sheriff Hawked ‘Gimmick’ COVID Protection Just Before Mayor Adams Hired HimYoav Gonen, The City This article was originally published on Jun 2 5:00am EDT by THE CITY Just weeks before he was tapped to serve as New York City sheriff, former NYPD Sergeant Anthony Miranda attended an awards gala in Great Neck, Long Island, with his wife, where they wore purple cards resembling conference badges.
[…] A Child Hit In Crosswalk Is Third In Two Months […]