JOYCE RUSS –
NST Security Department
Joyce Russ is respectfully and affectionately
called Captain Russ by those who know her.
She is the Senior Dispatcher in our Security
Office on the Arcade Level in Building 3.
You would see her sitting at the high podium
answering dozens of phone calls and helping
all the residents and future residents who
enter. She's been there for almost 25 years and
chose to retire at the end of October.
Chris Stahly, the Director of Security at
North Shore Towers, was asked to comment
on Joyce's retirement. He said, “Joyce Russ
has worked both the day and afternoon shifts
at the security dispatch here at NST for almost
25 years, with both Summit Security and now
Allied Universal. Her professionalism, work
ethic and attention to detail will be hard to
replace. She has been an asset to both myself
and the NST community during her tenure
here and will be missed by all. I want to con-gratulate
Ms. Russ on her retirement, and
wish her the best of luck on all her future
endeavors.”
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was born and raised in Panama City in
northwest Florida. I still have family there and
visit often. When I turned 19 I decided to come
to New York City and see what the Big Apple
had to offer me. I got an apartment in Jamaica
and was hired by Verizon as a telephone oper-ator.
I stayed with them for 27 years. I'm still in
that same apartment. As you can see, I don't
like changes when I am happy.
DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY?
Yes, I do. And we are a close knit family. My
daughter, Cordelia, has three daughters and
a son. Together they have provided me with
many grandkids and 5 great grandchildren. I
love spending time with all of them. At age 71,
it is a real blessing.
My sister, Gloria, has two sons and lives in
Queens Village which is nearby and we do lots
of things together. We both enjoy Bingo and
play together at a Queens Village Bingo Hall
at least once a week. I enjoy occasional visits
to Belmont as well.
WHEN DID YOU COME TO NST?
After 27 years at Verizon, they offered me
an attractive retirement package. I took it and
thought I would like being home and becoming
a professional grandmother and aunt. After a
time I missed the stimulation of a job. I heard
that a company called Summit was looking to
hire personnel who would work at NST where
they had gotten a contract to provide various
forms of security. I applied and they hired me
on the spot.
To me, North Shore Towers was a city with
1,800 apartments in three luxurious buildings.
I loved it from Day One. I was assigned to
different posts but soon was asked to man the
dispatcher desk in the main office. I stayed
there for almost 25 years.
WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR DUTIES?
Issuing parking passes and keeping track of
the parking spaces assigned to residents is a
big job--especially when residents park in the
wrong space.
Access Control involves constant
contact with the Main Gate and seeing
on my monitor who is entering, and
solving problems when they occur.
Handling lockouts on the part
of residents is an important duty.
Frequently a resident will misplace
their key or leave it in their apart-ment
and can't get in. If they regis-tered
a duplicate key with Security,
we can help them.
When an ambulance is called by a
resident I am contacted as it enters
the main gate and I alert a security
guard to meet the ambulance and
take them to the proper apartment
quickly.
Miscellaneous calls and complaints are made by
residents to the Security phone number because
that's the only number they know. It's my job to
direct the call to the correct department.
We have three security cars roaming the
property day and night. In addition to assur-ing
that visitors and residents do not park in
no-parking spaces, they respond to emergen-cies.
I monitor them on my desk console.
HOW DID YOU GET TO BE CALLED
“CAPTAIN RUSS”?
Many years ago we had a Tour Commander
who was impressed with what he called my
“command presence.” He gave me that hon-orary
title and it caught on with my security
colleagues and even many residents. It did not
come with any salary raise.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR
RESIDENTS THAT WOULD INCREASE THEIR
SENSE OF SECURITY?
Yes. If you change your lock or phone num-ber,
let security know promptly. Sometimes a
resident falls in their apartment or feels too
weak to get out of bed to unlock their door.
Security comes up with the duplicate they have
but the lock has been changed.
Also, when an ambulance is called the reason
most often given for the emergency is what they
call “slip and fall.” Residents should keep a
flashlight near their bed or keep low level lights
on in their apartments at night so that they can
go and return from the bathroom safely.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST DAY AT NST LIKE?
It was bittersweet. The staff made a farewell
party that included a large, delicious cake and
lovely remarks. I wish all of them, the NST staff
and the residents, a Happy Thanksgiving and
a healthy, enjoyable future.
You’ll be missed, Joyce!
Clearly, everybody loved the cake! 4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ December 2021