logo
Leaders in AOC's Red Light district call on Kash Patel to crush 'worsening' gang crime and prostitution

Leaders in AOC's Red Light district call on Kash Patel to crush 'worsening' gang crime and prostitution

Fox News19-04-2025
As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., privately jets across the nation for her "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, residents in her Queens constituency have been calling on the FBI and the DEAto help them crack down on the illegal sex workers and drug dealers that they say have turned their neighborhood into a festering "gangland."
Last week, local leaders, including a former Democrat state senator, wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel urging him to unleash agents to quell the raging problem along Roosevelt Avenue – a 2-mile commercial strip which has been likened to both a Third World Country and a Red-Light district – where scantily-clad women on sidewalks soliciting sex is commonplace.
They also claim the ruthless 18th Street Gang has taken over illegal operations there, filling the void of other gangs like with Tren de Aragua after a massive police operation saw hundreds of people arrested.
That police crackdown, which started in October and was labeled "Operation Restore Roosevelt," saw hundreds of city and state troopers descend on the neighborhood. The NYPD told Fox News Digital that the clampdown has resulted in a 37% year-to-date drop in crime in our Roosevelt Avenue zone with more than 1,800 arrests and more than 15,000 summonses.
Residents and local activists heaped praise on New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he spearheaded the aggressive 90-day police blitz.
But locals say the blitz was short-lived and bars have been turned into makeshift brothels where a dance can easily be negotiated into sex in dingy rooms downstairs. Many of the sex workers are migrants, the leaders said.
"The NYPD's Operation Restore Roosevelt did lead to arrests, but our street sources say the gangs replaced their foot soldiers within days," said the advocates, who include former Democrat state Senator Hiram Monserrate.
"The money never stopped moving, the dance floors stayed open, and the prostitutes came back in full force. This isn't just a Queens problem, it's a blueprint for how gangs, cartels, and traffickers can take over a community in plain sight."
They said that the gangs have turned the two-mile seedy strip into a "well-oiled criminal machine" using Roosevelt Avenue as its marketplace. "Roosevelt Avenue doesn't just have a gang problem. It has become gangland."
The NYPD did not confirm the locals' claims about gangs operating in the area.
Monserrate and the two groups — Restore Roosevelt Ave. and Neighbors of the American Triangle — called on Patel to investigate the "ever-worsening situation" they face.
They write that the 18th Street gang have tagged their gang insignia around the area marking their territory.
Monserrate said that the gangs are involved in all sorts of serious crimes, including human and drug trafficking, illegal gun sales, identity theft and distributing fake Green Cards, as well as violent crimes. His sources have identified at least 20 brothels in the area, some of which operate near schools.
He said that crime in general is still plaguing the area. Earlier this week, a man was fatally stabbed when he tried to stop a violent thief from stealing his bike steps from a local subway station, police said.
Monserrate shared a video with Fox News Digital with what he said were 23 alleged sex workers on one block.
In September, Fox News Digital cameras recorded a line of no less than 19 alleged sex workers on one block along Roosevelt Avenue with at least seven more on the next block. One woman was witnessed soliciting sex for $60.
Cortez has yet to respond to multiple Fox News Digital requests for comment regarding the situation along Roosevelt Avenue. She is scheduled to hold a town hall in the neighborhood on Saturday.
Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., whose district also includes the neighborhood, told Fox News Digital that she is closely engaged with the NYPD's ongoing efforts to improve public safety and quality of life in the area.
"I have confidence in the NYPD's commitment and capability to address these challenges, and I commend their sustained presence and work in the community," Meng said.
"As the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding for law enforcement agencies such as the NYPD and FBI, I will continue to advocate for the resources they need to protect residents in Queens."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee
At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee

CNN

time22 minutes ago

  • CNN

At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee

President Donald Trump is not done re-litigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. And neither are his allies on Capitol Hill. GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk announced this week he will be leading a select subcommittee to once again investigate the incident, re-scrutinizing the work of the previous, Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee that made the case that Trump's actions fueled violence that day. And he told CNN it all comes at Trump's request. In early June, Loudermilk said, the president summoned him to the White House to understand why Republicans had not stood up a new investigation. It had been six months since the pair had spoken directly about the issue, and negotiations on Capitol Hill had been stalled for months as many in the party sought to move on. 'I got called in by the president,' Loudermilk told CNN. 'We sat and talked for a while. And he was asking, 'what is the stall?' Because he had expected it to be done early in the year too. We talked about it, he engaged with the speaker's office.' Before Trump took office, he told House Speaker Mike Johnson that he wanted House Republicans to prioritize re-litigating the previous investigation into January 6, two sources familiar with the conversations told CNN. Behind the scenes, Johnson wrestled for weeks with how to implement Trump's request while balancing moderate and vulnerable members of the GOP's historically narrow majority who wanted the party to look ahead and focus on its agenda. Some of the delay though was bureaucratic. Republicans could not figure out which committee would helm the investigation since it would no longer be under the House Committee on Administration and lawmakers didn't have consensus on the direction they would take. Johnson at one point wanted Republicans to stop investigating the former January 6 committee, including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, and narrow the GOP panel's, according to three sources familiar with the negotiations. But Loudermilk wanted a broader mandate and to have his own subpoena power. After Trump's direct involvement, Loudermilk ultimately got everything he wanted, even an agreement with other committee chairs that he can look outside his current jurisdiction if needed, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. 'He was part of the equation in making it happen,' the source told CNN of Trump. Loudermilk told CNN, 'The White House was clear they wanted us to continue doing what we were doing.' CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. The announcement that Loudermilk would be getting his own select subcommittee with subpoena power came just as several House Republicans joined Democrats in a high-stakes vote demanding the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. That vote drew considerably more attention – and some critics viewed Loudermilk's move as harmful distraction. 'Loudermilk's investigation in the Select Committee is now into its third year and they have found absolutely nothing,' said Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat who chaired the Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee. 'Continuing it is not only pathetic, it sets our democracy back. Republicans will do literally anything to protect Trump and distract from releasing the Epstein files.' 'It seems House Republicans are so desperate to talk about anything other than their Jeffrey Epstein coverup that they're breaking out all the tired old hits,' Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat who served on the committee led by Thompson, said in a statement. In the last Congress, Loudermilk zeroed in on the former Jan. 6 committee and its work product – an effort that resulted in a report recommending Cheney be prosecuted by the FBI for her role in probing the Capitol attack. His new committee cannot officially get started until September, when lawmakers return from a five-week recess. Loudermilk will need to quickly build up a staff since much of the original staff working on the project had left given the months of delay. This time, Loudermilk he will have a willing partner in the White House, which might be willing to turn over DOJ or other files related to Jan. 6. 'We have a friendly administration now who has already committed to work with us, to provide us whatever we're looking for,' Loudermilk said. With subpoena power to compel testimony and documents, which he did not have during his original investigation, Loudermilk will be less focused on the security failures at the US Capitol and more on scrutinizing the former January 6 select committee's work. He said he will also examine law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Trump has long viewed his prosecution in connection with the events of Jan. 6 as unfair, and his adminstration has removed prosecutors from the Justice Department who worked on Jan. 6 cases. 'House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but there is clearly more work to be done,' House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. 'I think we can move a whole lot faster at this point,' Loudermilk added. As a new select subcommittee, Democrats will have the option to seat up to three of their own members.

At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee
At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee

CNN

time29 minutes ago

  • CNN

At Trump's insistence, GOP launches a new January 6 committee

President Donald Trump is not done re-litigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. And neither are his allies on Capitol Hill. GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk announced this week he will be leading a select subcommittee to once again investigate the incident, re-scrutinizing the work of the previous, Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee that made the case that Trump's actions fueled violence that day. And he told CNN it all comes at Trump's request. In early June, Loudermilk said, the president summoned him to the White House to understand why Republicans had not stood up a new investigation. It had been six months since the pair had spoken directly about the issue, and negotiations on Capitol Hill had been stalled for months as many in the party sought to move on. 'I got called in by the president,' Loudermilk told CNN. 'We sat and talked for a while. And he was asking, 'what is the stall?' Because he had expected it to be done early in the year too. We talked about it, he engaged with the speaker's office.' Before Trump took office, he told House Speaker Mike Johnson that he wanted House Republicans to prioritize re-litigating the previous investigation into January 6, two sources familiar with the conversations told CNN. Behind the scenes, Johnson wrestled for weeks with how to implement Trump's request while balancing moderate and vulnerable members of the GOP's historically narrow majority who wanted the party to look ahead and focus on its agenda. Some of the delay though was bureaucratic. Republicans could not figure out which committee would helm the investigation since it would no longer be under the House Committee on Administration and lawmakers didn't have consensus on the direction they would take. Johnson at one point wanted Republicans to stop investigating the former January 6 committee, including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, and narrow the GOP panel's, according to three sources familiar with the negotiations. But Loudermilk wanted a broader mandate and to have his own subpoena power. After Trump's direct involvement, Loudermilk ultimately got everything he wanted, even an agreement with other committee chairs that he can look outside his current jurisdiction if needed, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. 'He was part of the equation in making it happen,' the source told CNN of Trump. Loudermilk told CNN, 'The White House was clear they wanted us to continue doing what we were doing.' CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. The announcement that Loudermilk would be getting his own select subcommittee with subpoena power came just as several House Republicans joined Democrats in a high-stakes vote demanding the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. That vote drew considerably more attention – and some critics viewed Loudermilk's move as harmful distraction. 'Loudermilk's investigation in the Select Committee is now into its third year and they have found absolutely nothing,' said Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat who chaired the Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee. 'Continuing it is not only pathetic, it sets our democracy back. Republicans will do literally anything to protect Trump and distract from releasing the Epstein files.' 'It seems House Republicans are so desperate to talk about anything other than their Jeffrey Epstein coverup that they're breaking out all the tired old hits,' Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat who served on the committee led by Thompson, said in a statement. In the last Congress, Loudermilk zeroed in on the former Jan. 6 committee and its work product – an effort that resulted in a report recommending Cheney be prosecuted by the FBI for her role in probing the Capitol attack. His new committee cannot officially get started until September, when lawmakers return from a five-week recess. Loudermilk will need to quickly build up a staff since much of the original staff working on the project had left given the months of delay. This time, Loudermilk he will have a willing partner in the White House, which might be willing to turn over DOJ or other files related to Jan. 6. 'We have a friendly administration now who has already committed to work with us, to provide us whatever we're looking for,' Loudermilk said. With subpoena power to compel testimony and documents, which he did not have during his original investigation, Loudermilk will be less focused on the security failures at the US Capitol and more on scrutinizing the former January 6 select committee's work. He said he will also examine law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Trump has long viewed his prosecution in connection with the events of Jan. 6 as unfair, and his adminstration has removed prosecutors from the Justice Department who worked on Jan. 6 cases. 'House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but there is clearly more work to be done,' House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. 'I think we can move a whole lot faster at this point,' Loudermilk added. As a new select subcommittee, Democrats will have the option to seat up to three of their own members.

Have questions for your candidates? The News Leader wants to hear them.
Have questions for your candidates? The News Leader wants to hear them.

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Have questions for your candidates? The News Leader wants to hear them.

Do you have any questions for your local candidates? The News Leader's staff is in the early stages of planning candidate forums for the upcoming House of Delegates race in districts 35 and 36, the Augusta County School Board and the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. Currently, the plan includes a forum for each race, but this could change as candidate scheduling allows. Ahead of the forum, The News Leader staff is calling for readers to submit any questions they might have for the three races. Please send any questions or thoughts about what you'd like to learn from the candidates to STA-LOCALNEWS@ The races, and candidates, include: Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Beverley Manor District – Stephen J. Grepps Sr. Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Middle River District – Gerald W. Garber Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Beverley Manor District – Independent Tracy C. Pyles Jr., Republican Chris S. Kincheloe Augusta County School Board, Beverley Manor District – Daniel H. Whitmire, G. L. "Butch" Wells, Dan J. Ferraro Augusta County School Board, Middle River District – David R. Shiflett Augusta County School Board, Pastures District – Timothy M. "Timmy" Simmons, John L. Ocheltree, Jr. House of Delegates District 35 – Republican Chris S. Runion, Democrat Jena L. Crisler House of Delegates District 36 – Democrat Makayla R. Venable, Republican Ellen. H. Campbell More: Project GROWS' youth leadership program has been 'heart changing' for some area teens More: Two Waynesboro police officers indicted amid allegations they assaulted fellow cop Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to lbordelon@ Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Submit questions ahead of planned candidate forums from The News Leader Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store