JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens (PIX11) — Residents and community leaders in Queens are continuing their efforts to make Roosevelt Avenue safer and better for families, facing ongoing challenges from crime and illegal activity.
Residents say that crime and prostitution have been persistent problems, but their fight is far from over. They hope their ongoing efforts inspire real change and result in increased safety.
A community group in Jackson Heights is stepping up again to tackle crime and improve life along Roosevelt Avenue. On Sunday, dozens gathered at 90th Street and Roosevelt Avenue for a public safety rally organized by the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition.
It has been one year since major efforts began to combat crime and sex trafficking in the area, but serious problems still remain.
Hiram Monserrate, the district leader, spoke at the rally just steps from an illegal brothel. “We are on 90th and Roosevelt, which is basically the Walmart of illegal sex trade,” he said. “At night, the prostitutes line up here about 50 to 60 deep.”
Monserrate emphasized the coalition’s new campaign against attempts to legalize prostitution in the state. “If there is any attempt that’s effective in legalizing or decriminalizing, as they say, it’s basically the same thing. This community will be overwhelmed by more gangs and cartels,” he warned.
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The coalition’s goal is clear: protect neighborhoods, keep families safe, and make sure children don’t have to walk past brothels or illegal businesses on their way to school.
Resident Toni Diaz said, “We don’t want our children to grow up and say I want to be a prostitute. That’s wrong.”
The movement to legalize prostitution seeks to allow adults to buy or sell sex without fear of arrest. However, it remains illegal, and the police continue to crack down on illegal activity.
Rosa Sanchez, president of Restore Roosevelt Avenue, shared her concerns, “We’re here to make sure that our women are not trafficked and also what we’re noticing is that our youth are following the wrong steps. We are here to lend a helping hand because we know what it is to be in a place where you don’t want to be.”
These efforts follow New York City’s “Operation Restore Roosevelt” launched last year—a 90-day multi-agency crackdown led by the NYPD, sanitation, homeless services, and the Queens District Attorney’s office to clean up the streets, fight crime, and support trafficking victims.
Despite a citywide drop in crime this year, many say the fight on Roosevelt Avenue is ongoing. Monserrate said, “The job is still not done… We’re not asking for ICE, we’re not asking for cooperation, we’re asking for law enforcement to do their job and keep us safe.”
NYPD crime statistics confirm a significant decrease in crime along Roosevelt Avenue since the operation began.
Monserrate and the coalition vow to continue protests at brothels and illegal businesses until the community feels safe again and Roosevelt Avenue truly feels like home.
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