It’s really gone too far!
A local community group in Queens is making strong demands for the closure of a problematic brothel located in the infamous “Market of Sweethearts.” This follows an NYPD raid, which, remarkably, did little to stop operations, as the establishment reopened within hours.
The Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition gathered outside the sex shop on 75th Street in Jackson Heights, calling on city officials to shut it down for good. They also criticized local authorities for enabling what they described as a chaotic situation for migrants along this busy street.
“We’re insisting it needs to be closed permanently,” said city district leader Hiram Monseratte outside what used to be a pediatric dental office that now operates as a brothel. “It’s frustrating to see our justice system fail like this. It’s a mockery to New Yorkers.”
Protesters were vocal, chanting “shut it down” and “taking our streets back.” They mentioned that police conducted a raid on Saturday, yet the illegal operation quickly resumed, highlighting ongoing lawlessness in the area despite numerous law enforcement efforts and public protests.
“This is beyond shameful,” lamented district leader Rosa Sanchez. “This is our community.”
The Roosevelt Avenue area, along with its surrounding streets, has been plagued for years by open prostitution, drug trafficking, and shoplifting, problems that many attribute to the influx of migrants from the US-Mexico border.
Earlier in the month, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, held a press conference on Roosevelt Avenue. He pointed fingers at lenient state laws for contributing to the ongoing issues.
The NYPD has executed several raids over the past few years, and Governor Kathy Hochul even stationed state troopers in the vicinity for 90 days in 2024 to combat illegal activities.
Last year, the city initiated Operation Restore Roosevelt, a joint effort aimed at cleaning up the strip, which temporarily decreased crime in the area by 28%, according to officials.
However, once those efforts tapered off, illegal activities surged again, much like what transpired after the recent police raid.
Now, local leaders express their frustration, saying that both Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have not done enough to address their concerns after years of complaints.
“The community wishes to stroll peacefully down Roosevelt Avenue,” noted sociologist Mercedes Blanco, a longtime resident. “But they can’t, thanks to the night workers who’ve claimed our streets.”
