DeKalb GA News

As Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, continues her national "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, concerns mount within her Queens district. Residents there are facing increasing challenges, including significant gang crime and prostitution, and are seeking help from federal authorities. Currently, the district's issues have prompted community leaders to reach out to FBI Director Kash Patel for assistance against the growing criminal activity.

Local leaders describe the enduring problems in the area, highlighting the "Red Light" district issues along Roosevelt Avenue. They have depicted the two-mile commercial strip as a hub for illegal activities, with comparisons to both a Third World Country and a Red Light district due to the frequent presence of sex workers.

In a letter to Director Patel, leaders, including former Democrat state Senator Hiram Monserrate, requested the deployment of federal agents to address these concerns. The letter emphasized the presence of gangs such as the 18th Street Gang, which has filled gaps left by other criminal organizations recently impacted by law enforcement activities.

Despite local police efforts, such as the NYPD's Operation Restore Roosevelt, advocates argue that these initiatives have had little impact. According to Monserrate and others, gangs quickly replace members lost to police actions, and illegal operations continue unabated.

"The NYPD’s Operation Restore Roosevelt did lead to arrests, but our street sources say the gangs replaced their foot soldiers within days," Monserrate stated. "The money never stopped moving, the dance floors stayed open, and the prostitutes came back in full force. This isn’t just a Queens problem, it’s a blueprint for how gangs, cartels, and traffickers can take over a community in plain sight."