Queens residents, business owners and community leaders are sounding the alarm over escalating crime, prostitution and unlicensed vending in the Roosevelt Avenue corridor—criticizing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for what they describe as an ongoing absence from the community and its concerns.
Known locally as the “Market of Sweethearts,” the area has become a flashpoint for public disorder, gang activity and trafficking.
Many locals say the crisis has worsened due to the city’s growing migrant population and a lack of sustained political leadership.
“I have not personally seen Ocasio-Cortez since she’s been elected. I have not seen her in the community,” said Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition.
“I have seen her in a parade — that’s it.”
Part of Roosevelt Avenue lies within Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional district, while the remainder falls under Rep. Grace Meng’s jurisdiction.
Despite the divide, residents say both areas suffer from the same persistent problems—illegal activity, unsafe conditions and minimal congressional engagement.
Sanchez said her coalition has repeatedly called for assistance to address a wave of unlawful street vendors and gang-linked sex trafficking operations.
She said local businesses are being driven to closure while young women are being trafficked with no effective intervention.
“You have young women held against their will. They’re being sex trafficked. This is not normal,” she said. “Our community is suffering.”
Mauricio Zamora, who leads the Neighbors of the American Triangle civic group, echoed these frustrations.
He said Ocasio-Cortez has “never” shown leadership in tackling the area’s most serious issues.
Zamora met with the congresswoman last week to discuss illegal vending around Corona Plaza but said she deflected broader crime concerns to other government agencies.
“She said crime is a matter for the mayor, the NYPD, and city officials—not for her office,” Zamora told the New York Post. “We need her to be involved.”
Zamora contrasted Ocasio-Cortez’s approach with that of Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, who has publicly called on Mayor Eric Adams to clean up “The Hub,” an open-air drug and prostitution market in his own district.
Torres has used his office to pressure city leadership and advocate for direct interventions.
On Sunday, the Post noted that a reporter walking through Roosevelt Avenue again observed open prostitution occurring in broad daylight under the No. 7 train line.
For locals, it was another reminder that city and federal responses remain inadequate.
In total, 23 residents and local merchants told the outlet they have never seen Ocasio-Cortez in the neighborhood, even as conditions deteriorate.
“No, I have never seen AOC here. I’ve seen the local city councilman [Francisco Moya]. I’ve seen the police. I’ve never seen AOC,” said Jenny Leo, a 54-year-old pharmacist at Mi. Farmacia at 90-15 Roosevelt Avenue.
She added that after a police-led cleanup operation, “It’s not getting worse but it’s not getting better either.”
Operation Restore Roosevelt, a 90-day initiative by the NYPD, had some success, locals said.
They, however, noted that illegal vendors flooded back into the neighborhood shortly after the law enforcement presence tapered off.
David Ortega, manager of Bravo Supermarket, reported frequent theft and said lawlessness continues without consequence.
“People are stealing meat and beer and laundry detergent. The police come and they take them outside,” Ortega said.
“Two times recently the thieves tell me that they’re going to wait for me when I leave. They’re not afraid. It is not changing. It is the same.”
Ortega confirmed Ocasio-Cortez has not visited the area during these incidents. “She doesn’t come here,” he said.
A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez responded to criticism by pointing to her participation in a recent community meeting and her efforts to improve conditions in and around Corona Plaza.
“The congresswoman is focused on solutions not credit,” said Karla Santillan.
“She has done multiple cleanups of the plaza on the other side, and on the official side has worked with DOT to fix street lights and improve sanitation.”
Ocasio-Cortez posted a statement on X after the meeting, saying, “Happy to be back in Corona Plaza to continue our team’s conversations with vendors and local business owners about our coordinated efforts to make Roosevelt Avenue a safer and cleaner place.”
Residents, however, say the congresswoman’s presence has not been felt on the streets—and they want more than meetings and social media posts.
They are calling for boots on the ground, real engagement and a sustained law enforcement strategy that prioritizes their safety.
The post AOC MIA? Locals Say They’ve Never Seen Rep. as Illegal Alien Crime Surges appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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