To address the long-standing issue of prostitution along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon, announced the launch of “Operation Restore Roosevelt” on the evening of October 15. This initiative aims to integrate multiple city agencies to combat prostitution, illegal brothels, and unlicensed vendors, particularly in the Corona area.
Donlon emphasized that every resident and worker along Roosevelt Avenue deserves to live in a clean and safe community, which is the primary goal of this multi-agency enforcement effort. “We are listening to community concerns and seeking permanent solutions to address these long-standing public safety and quality of life issues,” he stated.
Mayor Adams added, “This street should be a source of pride for our city, but it has faced persistent safety and quality of life challenges for too long. We will no longer allow this situation to continue.”
The operation is expected to last for 90 days and will cover the entire Roosevelt Avenue corridor, including Elmhurst, North Corona, and Jackson Heights, with a focus on tackling sex trafficking. However, some local residents have expressed skepticism, doubting the effectiveness of the initiative given the resurgence of prostitution and other illegal activities following past police raids.
In response to these concerns, police officials have assured the public that they are committed to developing long-term solutions to eliminate illegal activities on Roosevelt Avenue. Deputy Police Chief Kaz Daughtry stated that they anticipated these challenges and sought collaboration from various agencies to bring about lasting resolutions. “We will monitor neighboring communities to ensure these actions lead to sustained change. We are not here to just put a Band-Aid on the problem; we are here to create lasting safety for this community,” he affirmed.
In addition to the NYPD, “Operation Restore Roosevelt” will involve support from the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Buildings, the New York State Police, and other agencies. Furthermore, the Mayor’s office indicated that the Department of Social Services would assist women who have been trafficked and are engaged in prostitution in the area.
