On October 10, 2024, local time, Roosevelt Avenue in the central part of Queens, New York City, is a major commercial street. However, it has been inundated with unlicensed vendors and street workers, especially “street workers” becoming increasingly rampant. The sight of them soliciting customers in broad daylight has become prominent, with reports of even minors being harassed. Concerned community organizations gathered on October 9th at 90th Street in Elmhurst once again, emphasizing that these disturbances significantly impact residents’ quality of life. They have petitioned Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy 100 state troopers to rectify the situation and restore order in the community.
The letter to the governor expressed the hope for intervention in the ongoing illegal activities on Roosevelt Avenue, which have turned it into a crime hub in New York City. The avenue is surrounded by various organized crime entities, drug trafficking groups, human traffickers, pimps, prostitutes, commercial theft rings, and unlicensed vendors, putting the community at risk.
Stretching through several neighborhoods such as Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside, Roosevelt Avenue has sadly become a breeding ground for crime. Ramon Ramirez-Baez, chairman of the “Let’s Improve Roosevelt Ave. Coalition,” pointed out that some elected officials are advocating for legalizing prostitution and have passed bail reform laws that condone more crime. This has led to a wave of crime, dirty streets, and losses for businesses in the community. The insufficient police presence has left businesses and residents unprotected, creating an urgent need to restore order. The appeal to the governor is for the deployment of 100 state troopers to take intervention measures and enforce the law.
Former Councilman Hiram Monserrate stated that the area is severely affected by crimes like prostitution, gangs, drug trafficking, and shoplifting, experiencing an unprecedented crime rate. The issues of prostitution and open solicitation bring great distress to residents and business owners. The immigrant population in particular is suffering from crime, and the local police force is overwhelmed, thus demanding the deployment of 100 state troopers to reinforce local law enforcement. It was noted that Governor Hochul had previously sent state troopers to strengthen police presence in the subway system.
Martha Flores-Vazquez, a community leader in Flushing, voiced concerns about human trafficking and prostitution’s impact, even affecting minors, with disappointment towards the lack of attention given by local councilors.
Representing small businesses, Mireya Gutierrez, an immigrant from Cuba who owns a pharmacy in the area, expressed the daily struggles caused by unlicensed vendors blocking sidewalks, generating trash, and hindering access for people, especially the elderly, to her pharmacy. This has brought inconveniences to her business and the community as a whole.