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As Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez embarks on her “Fighting Oligarchy” tour across the United States, concerns are growing among residents of her Queens district. They are calling for intervention from the FBI and DEA to tackle what they describe as rampant issues with illegal sex work and drug trafficking, which they feel have transformed their neighborhood into a dangerous “gangland.”
Local community leaders, including a former Democratic state senator, recently submitted a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, urging a response to the escalating problems along Roosevelt Avenue. This two-mile commercial strip has been characterized by some as akin to the conditions found in a Third World country or a Red-Light district, where street prostitution has become a distressingly common sight.
Residents allege that the notorious 18th Street Gang has taken control of illicit activities in the area, stepping in to fill the void left by other gangs that were dismantled during a recent extensive police operation. This operation saw hundreds of arrests but has reportedly not curtailed the ongoing issues.
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The police crackdown, known as “Operation Restore Roosevelt,” commenced in October and involved a significant influx of city and state law enforcement personnel into the neighborhood. The NYPD reported a year-to-date crime reduction of 37% along Roosevelt Avenue, attributing over 1,800 arrests and over 15,000 summonses to the operation, which has been praised by residents and local activists alike.
Despite these efforts, locals contend that any temporary success has been overshadowed by a resurgence of illegal activities. They report that bars have essentially turned into informal brothels, and many of the individuals involved in sex work are migrants. The situation has led advocates, including former state senator Hiram Monserrate, to express skepticism about the long-term impact of police interventions.
“While arrests were made during Operation Restore Roosevelt, reports from our sources indicate that gangs swiftly replaced their personnel,” Monserrate stated. “Financial transactions continue without interruption, and the sex workers have returned almost immediately. This situation extends beyond Queens and reveals a pattern of how criminal organizations can establish a foothold within a community almost unnoticed.”
The situation has become increasingly dire, with evidence suggesting that Roosevelt Avenue has evolved into a “well-oiled criminal machine,” serving as a marketplace for illegal activities. Locals fear that it has become a region overrun by gangs.
The NYPD has not confirmed the assertions made by the community regarding gang activities in the area.
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In their letter to Patel, Monserrate and local advocacy groups, including Restore Roosevelt Ave. and Neighbors of the American Triangle, have emphasized the urgent need for federal investigation into the worsening conditions. They cite the gang’s markings around the area as signs of their territorial claim.
Monserrate also highlighted the comprehensive array of criminal activities attributed to the gangs, which reportedly include human and drug trafficking, illegal firearm sales, identity theft, and the production of counterfeit Green Cards, in addition to violent crimes. He claims to have identified at least 20 illegal brothels scattered across the neighborhood, some alarmingly close to schools.
Recent violent incidents in the area have only heightened concern. A tragic event occurred when a man was fatally stabbed while attempting to thwart a theft just blocks away from a local subway station.
Videos circulated by Monserrate show a striking number of alleged sex workers visible on Roosevelt Avenue. In one instance from September, cameras captured at least 19 individuals engaged in sex work on a single block, with some soliciting services for as little as $60.
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Despite multiple requests for comments regarding the situation, Ocasio-Cortez has yet to issue a response. She is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting in the neighborhood soon.
Representative Grace Meng, D-N.Y., who represents part of the same area, has stated her commitment to working closely with the NYPD to improve public safety and the overall quality of life for residents. She expressed confidence in the police’s ability to tackle the ongoing challenges and emphasized her role on the Appropriations subcommittee, which oversees funding for law enforcement agencies like the NYPD and FBI. Meng vowed to continue advocating for necessary resources to protect the Queens community.
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