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
- Octagon Park Lecture Nov. 16: Was the Park’s Plan a Success?Octagon Park lecture: architect John di Domenico revisits how the park was planned 35 years ago and whether it worked. Free, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., island library.
- Friday’s PSD blotter: two theft reports at 425 Main, three hospital runsRIOC’s Nov. 13 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including two petit larceny reports at 425 Main Street, three hospital transports and five entries at 546 Main.
- Variety Boys and Girls Club Sale: Astoria Property Sells for $28 MillionThe Variety Boys and Girls Club sale brings $28 million for its longtime Astoria property. Questions remain about the building’s future and youth programs.
- Fall Prevention for Seniors: Make Your Apartment Safer, Nov. 20Fall prevention for seniors: Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 20 virtual roundtable tours a typical NYC apartment, with tips on landlord changes and balance. RSVP on Zoom.
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
At the Risk of Being Premature
On September 10, 2026, Roosevelt Island resident Melissa Bray stood before the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Board of Directors and asked them to think fifty years ahead. She had come because RIOC President B.J. Jones invited residents into the conversation about redesigning Blackwell Park. Bray wanted its mature trees protected, including a northern red oak dedicated to the wife of my friend David Kraut, a former board director.
