Citing high crime statistics in February, and noting the 50 percent share of Public Safety costs that are paid by residents through rents, the Common Council of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) decided Wednesday night to ask for a clearly defined role in supervising the Island's Public Safety Department.

PSD Chief Peter Norwood currently reports to Jerome Blue, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), and works with a committee headed by Ron Vass, one of two Island-resident members on the nine-seat RIOC Board of Directors.

Under longstanding arrangements, the cost of PSD is paid jointly by RIOC and the Island's housing companies, except for Manhattan Park, which provides its own patrols.

At Wednesday night's meeting, RIRA President Patrick Stewart appointed a committee to investigate and pursue the role.