Queens, New York – A well-known local brothel, situated near two schools in the Red Light district represented by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has been shut down by the NYPD after extensive advocacy from local leaders. They criticized progressive lawmakers for not taking action sooner to help them close the establishment.
Locally referred to as the “Bodega Brotel,” the brothel operated on the second floor above a bodega, not far from Roosevelt Avenue. A video captured inside showcased a makeshift setup with five cramped rooms separated by wooden panels and shower curtains.
This bodega is located across the street from two public schools, forcing students to walk past a sex worker stationed outside for several months. Just earlier this month, a witness reported seeing children walking with their parents while three women were present outside.
On Monday, NYPD officers removed a bed from the brothel and secured the wooden doors. Hiram Monserrate, who spearheaded the campaign for its closure, praised the police for their swift action.
“Closing the ‘Bodega brothel’ was a long time coming, but at least it finally happened,” Monserrate expressed. He described the place as “clearly unsightly and unsanitary, and frankly, it’s disgusting.” Monserrate, a former Democratic senator and city council member, organized four rallies to push for the brothel’s closure.
Monserrate mentioned that he, along with a local group, sought support from Ocasio-Cortez and other officials, but assistance was scant. He remarked, “AOC was not involved at all,” and recalled being removed from a local plaza back in October.
Ramses Frías, a Republican City Council candidate in the area, noted that Ocasio-Cortez had never attended any of the protests. “It took community efforts to stand against this bodega brothel,” Frías added.
The Ocasio-Cortez office has not issued any comments regarding the closure. Monserrate voiced concerns about troubled areas affected by prostitution, mentioning that many workers were reportedly linked to gang activities, including those operated by immigrant gangs like Tren de Aragua. He has reached out to the FBI for assistance along Roosevelt Avenue but has yet to receive feedback, highlighting that there are at least 20 brothels in the vicinity.
In October, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams witnessed over 200 police and state officers converge on the area to implement a wide-ranging crackdown.
The NYPD stated last month that their initiative, known as the Restore Roosevelt operation, resulted in a 37% reduction in crime, with over 1,800 arrests and more than 15,000 summons issued in the Roosevelt Avenue zone. However, they did not disclose if any arrests were made during the recent closure.
The New York City Buildings Department mentioned that a partial vacancy order had been issued for the site in December, but it had continued to be used for illegal activities.
Monserrate noted that while the recent actions were beneficial, many issues in the neighborhood still persist. “I appreciate the NYPD, the NYC Buildings Department, and the mayor’s office, but there’s still a great deal to do to keep this community stable and safe,” he said. “We hope to keep meeting, shut down more brothels, and address policies that have negatively impacted our community.”
