New York City police launched an anti-sex trafficking operation Thursday targeting six suspected prostitution establishments in Queens. Prostitution is against the law in New York.
Video showed NYPD officers patrolling one establishment at 95th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, led by NYPD Mayor Eric Adams.
“It was an honor to be able to participate. @NYPD115Pct “Tonight is about an important quality of life enforcement operation to shut down six establishments that were breaking the law and perpetuating prostitution,” Adams said in a post on X.
Adams told reporters after the raid that the conditions he saw inside were “inhumane.”
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted a sign outside an illegal brothel in Queens that was shut down after a raid by NYPD officers on Thursday. (Peter Garber)
He said the large number of single beds in the room showed that sex trafficking was taking place and that it was reducing the quality of life in the community.
“Sex trafficking is real and horrific situations like these show why the NYPD does it. We're just going to sit back and pretend it's not happening. No,” Adams said. “This is more than just a fast food restaurant.”
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NYPD officers raided a Queens brothel on Thursday, the first of several to be targeted for sex trafficking. (Peter Garber)
Adams credited City Councilman Francisco Moya for representing the community on the City Council.
NYPD Chief John Chell also thanked Moya for “pushing buttons and moving things forward” after years of sex trafficking in the community.
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NYPD officers raided a Queens brothel on Thursday, the first of several brothels targeted for sex trafficking. (Peter Garber)
“For this community, this is what they want. The city council members represent this community,” Chell said. “Sex trafficking is terrible, and our city will not tolerate it.”
The chief also said the department had plans to attack other locations and vowed not to stop until it was brought under control.
Specifically, NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry told reporters that the department plans to raid six or seven more locations on Thursday.
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NYPD officers raided a brothel in Queens on Thursday. (Peter Garber)
He sent a message to those operating illegal brothels and sex shops after the first ones were shut down.
“We're coming, we're sending in our undercover agents, we're going to do everything within the law to shut you down,” Daughtry said. “If you open up again under a different name, we're going to go through the same process all over again and come back and shut you down again.”
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Daughtry said as she stood looking out into the community, she saw families walking around with their children.
“There are women in skimpy clothes here,” he said. “Do you want your kids to see it? This is unacceptable. The residents have spoken. We have listened to them, and this is the result of Corona and the residents of East Elmhurst.” This is the result. This is the first place, and we are just getting started.”
