Roosevelt Avenue Under Siege: A Communi

Queens Neighborhood Under Siege

Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, once a lively immigrant hub, is now described as

an “open-air marketplace” for organized crime.

Residents say gangs like the 18th Street, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and

Chinese groups exert “iron fist” control, running brothels, trafficking, fraud, and drugs.

Community Plea for Action

The Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition has repeatedly appealed to the FBI.

“We are writing to your agency again,” they stressed, urging federal intervention.

Spokesperson Rosa Sanchez said, “Our children should not have to bear witness to women being forced to sell their bodies. It must stop.”

Limited Progress

Federal raids briefly disrupted gangs, but replacements arrived “within days.”

NYPD’s “Operation Restore Roosevelt” cut crime 28%, yet 14 brothels still operate.

Rep. Grace Meng has pushed for more federal tools, while Rep. Ocasio-Cortez requested funds for victim services.

A National Test

“This isn’t just a Queens problem,” leaders warned.

“Roosevelt Avenue doesn’t just have a gang problem. It has become a gangland.”