This afternoon at about 2:45 I was about to cross the street by Blackwell House heading south when a very fast moving Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) patrol car entered and then stopped suddenly in the turnaround. The PSD car blocked an oncoming northbound Red Bus from continuing to Main Street. A PSD officer jumped out of the car, ran towards the Red Bus with his hands raised shouting for the driver to stop the Red Bus and then ran past the Red Bus to the car stopped behind it.
Several PSD officers shouted orders at the driver and occupant to get out of the car stopped behind the Red Bus. It appeared that the two men in the car did not comply to get out of the vehicle. A PSD officer then broke the car window, removed the occupants, restraining them with handcuff ties behind their back and had them sit next to the car in the snow while being questioned….
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs Bryant Daniels provides this update on the incident:
The incident involved two vehicles racing along the island, traveling down Main Street and around the Cornell Tech loop in the wrong direction. The drivers sped through several stop signs at high speeds, posing a serious safety risk to the community. Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown estimates vehicles were traveling up to speeds of approximately 60 miles per hour at times. It was particularly concerning that the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., when children and families were returning home from school.
One vehicle fled the island, and its make and license plate information were shared with NYPD. The second vehicle became stuck in a snow embankment near West Road. The individuals inside refused PSD’s orders to exit the vehicle and attempted to jump the curb to escape. Given the danger of the situation, PSD officers—who are not armed—were forced to break the driver’s side window in order to make the arrest.
The car occupants in the car were charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and obstructing government administration.
Definitely a great job by PSD. They responded immediately. If they didn’t stop that car people could have seriously been injured or cost of lives. That’s why is always good to get the facts before people judge.
Exactly. Great job PSD. Where’s the lady defending the criminals and saying g PSD was too aggressive now? Or the crazy conspiracy theorists saying it was ICE? Obviously they have way too much time on their hands.
The PSD officer who broke the window managed to grab the driver stop the vehicle and handcuffed both the guys in the car. In my 20 years living on the island ive never witnessed something so heroic. My feelings towards psd has changed since the situation, that officer saved lifes that day. Great job
We should express gratitude to Public Safety, Their decisive action may well have saved lives.
Definitely a great job by PSD. They responded immediately. If they didn’t stop that car people could have seriously been injured or cost of lives. That’s why is always good to get the facts before people judge.
Thanks again to the PSD officers.
Exactly. Great job PSD. Where’s the lady defending the criminals and saying g PSD was too aggressive now? Or the crazy conspiracy theorists saying it was ICE? Obviously they have way too much time on their hands.
The PSD officer who broke the window managed to grab the driver stop the vehicle and handcuffed both the guys in the car. In my 20 years living on the island ive never witnessed something so heroic. My feelings towards psd has changed since the situation, that officer saved lifes that day. Great job
kmjhh