Investigation of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Pushed Forward at Protest

City Council Candidate for Manhattan’s District 5 Ben Kallos Presents Additional Evidence for Investigation of the Public Safety Department in the Wake of Alleged January Attack

 Roosevelt Island, NY – City Council candidate Ben Kallos announced the submission of additional evidence to the Inspector General for a formal investigation with a requested resolution that includes future oversight by a resident-led review board, at a second march and demonstration on Roosevelt Island seeking to address allegations of misconduct by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Public Safety Department.

“We are proud to serve the Roosevelt Island community by collecting and providing Inspector General Scott with the evidence necessary to properly investigate allegations of ongoing misconduct by the Public Safety Department resulting in resolution with the implementation of a resident-led review board,” said Kallos. “We must acknowledge the Roosevelt Island residents who have courageously revealed their own struggles with the Public Safety Department.  We recognize their bravery and support them against retaliation by the Public Safety Department who they must face every day."

The Roosevelt Island community has demanded justice in the wake of the alleged beating of 20-year-old Anthony Jones, with 300 attending a February demonstration for accountability for the PSD. Others have submitted their own personal tales of abuse at the hands of the PSD compiled at: http://kallosforcouncil.com/share/roosevelt-island-public-safety-stories

“After the Public Safety Department shut down my son’s little league game, I tried to document the incident with my camera. This led to verbal abuse and physical assault, while I was dangerously denied treatment for my diabetes,” said Roosevelt Island resident Adib Mansour, who submitted his testimony for public consideration.

Kallos has even offered support and advice to an opponent to pass a bill to install civilian oversight of the Public Safety Department that has been languishing in Assembly for years.

“This is an issue that’s deeply important to Roosevelt Island,” said resident and campaign volunteer Joseph Strong. “We need to get to the bottom of what happened for the sake of justice and so it doesn’t happen again.”

Kallos has a history of championing Roosevelt Island, working alongside local leaders as a member of Community Board 8 and a local activist to improve representation, services, and transportation on the island. This is the second letter he has sent to the Inspector General since the incident occurred.

A copy of the letter is included as well as the text.

 

 

 

 

 

April 21, 2013

 

Catherine Leahy Scott

Acting State Inspector General

Office of the State Inspector General

Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 2, 16^th Floor

Albany, New York 12223

 

Re: Complaint Regarding Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department

 

Dear Inspector General Scott,

 

On January 30, 2013, I requested that the Office of the Inspector General investigate an incident involving an alleged attack on Anthony Jones by officers of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department, as well as previous incidents relating to the conduct of the Public Safety Department.

 

In the past months, dedicated Roosevelt Island residents have rallied around this issue. Today I am participating in a second rally and march following a previous demonstration of approximately 300 people that was held on February 16, 2013 to demand justice for Anthony Jones and accountability for the Public Safety Department. Courageous residents have come forward to share their accounts alleging abuse and unacceptable behavior by Public Safety officers. These videos, pictures and statements can be found at the link below, which will be updated accordingly as more brave individuals come forward: http://kallosforcouncil.com/share/roosevelt-island-public-safety-stories

 

We respectfully request that you consider all the evidence that you receive, and conduct a thorough investigation of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Public Safety Department. As before, we request that any resolution to the investigation include the implementation for a resident-led review board to oversee the Public Safety Department.

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance in ensuring that State government, its employees, and those who work with the State meet the highest standards of honesty, accountability and efficiency.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Benjamin Kallos

 

 

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