NYPD's 90-day blitz to crack down on Roosevelt Ave crime wins praise
CORONA, Queens (WABC) -- New York City's crackdown to clean up crime-riddled Roosevelt Avenue in Queens is winning praise from some locals who say the area is starting to feel safer.
Roosevelt Avenue was bustling Friday night and in the center of Corona, families walked without fear.
Businesses once again are thriving. Gabriel Andrade owns a restaurant on the street.
"These last two, three months they have been doing a great job like with the cops around. I'm very thankful for that because customers are coming back to our neighborhood. They feel safe now," Andrade said. "Whatever you're doing, just please keep doing it," Andrade said.
He was able to thank Mayor Eric Adams personally on Friday after a nearly three-month crackdown in a stretch notorious for prostitution and other crimes.
"No one said it was going to happen overnight but we've seen a significant change in a positive direction. Working with this administration has proven when we get together and look at what the problems are we're gonna solve them," said City Council member Francisco Moya.
Police call it Operation Restore Roosevelt, a 90-day multiagency initiative to round up illegal brothels and massage parlors and put a stop to quality-of-life offenses.
Cops also say it's working.
In the past 28 days, so-called Index Crimes are down just over 30 percent.
"This year alone we have arrested 35 Johns for soliciting these women," NYPD Department Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said.
Andrade sees a difference on the streets.
"I didn't see any cops before but now it's getting better. I really hope this keeps going on," Andrade said.
The initiative was intended to be a law enforcement blitz officially ending next week, but cops say they aren't going anywhere.
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