The 4th of July, 2022, on Roosevelt Island was as peaceful — pre-fireworks — as it was sunny and warm. Advance planning paid off with previous years’ problems never developing.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Kids of all ages anticipate the rockets red glare to come after nightfall, but for most, the holiday is a time to relax and enjoy the pleasures of summer.
But in the background, a working force made it possible.
NYPD and RIOC‘s Public Safety Department did not take this day off. They were out in force. Not only was there no violence, but traffic flowed and visitors were moved as efficiently as possible on public transit.
In previous years, traffic on Vernon Avenue and connecting streets backed up for as much as a mile through Astoria. But the benefits of pre-planning and coordination kept jams at a minimum.
Late in the afternoon, PSD remained on its feet in the sun. A lieutenant (white shirt) filtered vehicles driving onto Roosevelt Island. It was smooth as was entry to Motorgate.
Meanwhile on Main Street…
Traffic other than emergency vehicles and Red Buses were turned back from Main Street, allowed north of the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix only.
As an added bonus, with rare exceptions, Red Bus passengers respected each other with face masks that are disappearing on subways and MTA buses.
All in all, it was a good day to be on Roosevelt Island and to be a Roosevelt Islander. Thousands came, but thanks to thoughtful planning and calm execution, a lot of cheer flowed and disruptions were at a minimum.
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
- How Queens News Shapes Life on Roosevelt Island This WeekExplore how Queens news shapes life on Roosevelt Island, from major fire responses to local court cases and housing initiatives, reflecting the rhythms and routines of our shared city life.
- Queens Community Updates: Transit Projects, Public Safety, and Neighborhood EffortsQueens community updates including transit projects, public safety developments, and neighborhood efforts, with special relevance for Roosevelt Island residents.
- How Roosevelt Island Responds to Change and Challenge Across the East RiverExplore how Roosevelt Island responds to change and challenge across the East River, reflecting on community adaptation, safety, transit, civic life, and neighborhood rhythms.
AVAC Is Working. The Model Is What’s Aging.
Roosevelt Island’s AVAC system is often discussed as if it were either a miracle or a menace. In truth, it is neither. It is functioning infrastructure that has reached a point in its lifecycle where how it is maintained matters as much as whether it exists at all.
