Sex trafficking strip in Queens worsens under Mayor Mamdani, residents say

Community leaders rallied in Jackson Heights Saturday, demanding action on the Roosevelt Avenue prostitution corridor they say has deteriorated since January.

Queens activists demand crackdown on Roosevelt Avenue prostitution corridor

Dozens of community leaders gathered in Jackson Heights on Saturday to protest what they describe as a worsening prostitution and human trafficking crisis along Roosevelt Avenue — the stretch long known as the "Market of Sweethearts," running through Corona and surrounding neighborhoods. NY Post Metro has reported extensively on the corridor's open-air sex trade, drug dealing, and illegal vending over recent years.

"The street activity is really off the charts," said former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, now a local Democratic district leader, who was among roughly two dozen activists at the rally. Monserrate credited the previous administration with making measurable progress. "We had some betterment of the quality of life and public safety under our prior administration, where we had Operation Restore Roosevelt, when the governor sent state troopers here — but right now, they have abandoned Roosevelt Avenue, and the crime is all coming back."

Activists rallied outside several of the dozens of known brothels along the strip, calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani — who publicly supported decriminalizing prostitution before his election in January — and Gov. Kathy Hochul to enforce existing prostitution and nuisance-abatement laws. They also demanded action against landlords who rent to pimps.

Rosa Sanchez, of the group Restore Roosevelt Avenue, addressed the crowd directly. "We are tired of seeing these activities happen," she said. "We have families and children. The prostitutes are out here 24 hours around the clock. It has gotten worse, and we are asking that Mayor Mamdani, with Kathy Hochul, come down these streets. We don't want this in our community. And we're not going to accept it."

During the demonstration, participants gathered in front of an alleged brothel at 76-09 Roosevelt Avenue, ringing large bells and chanting "Shut it down!" and "Stop Prostitution!" before moving to additional locations along the corridor.

Other neighborhood residents told the outlet the situation has deteriorated over the past year. One woman said she routinely witnesses female sex workers servicing men between parked cars on residential blocks.

Representatives for Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul did not respond to requests for comment. The NYPD was unable to provide arrest data for the Roosevelt Avenue corridor when contacted on Saturday.

Source: NY Post Metro