New York City launches quality-of-life operation to fight sex trafficking, prostitution in Queens
QUEENS, New York (WABC) -- Quality-of-life concerns are at the top of mind in Queens, where community members and officials say prostitution, illegal brothels and other issues have plagued neighborhoods.
On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon and other city officials announced a multi-agency task force to fight back against those concerns. It's known as "Operation Restore Roosevelt."
It will cover multiple neighborhoods along Roosevelt Avenue, including Elmhurst, North Corona, and Jackson Heights, an area that resident Gloria Contreras says is no place to live.
"If I'm walking with my daughter, it's really dangerous because I have to explain to her what's going on," said resident Gloria Contreras. "Take a walk by yourself and no camera and you'll be solicited in a block 10, 15 times by different people."
The goal of the operation is to address community concerns over prostitution, illegal brothels, unlicensed food vendors and food carts, retail theft, the sale of stolen goods and other issues.
"Roosevelt Avenue is one of the most diverse avenues in our city - it is home to businesses from all over the world and New Yorkers from all over the world live and raise their families nearby," Adams said. "This road should be the pride of our city, but for too long it has been plagued by persistent public safety and quality-of-life issues. We won't allow this to continue any longer."
To aid in this effort, the Adams administration is bringing together over a dozen city agencies under the Community Link initiative, including the FDNY, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and MTA, to name a few. Additional support will be provided from state law enforcement partners.
Eyewitness News obtained video as officers swooped in on Tuesday, busting brothels along with illegal vendors and scooters.
"If you have an illegal massage parlor or brothel on Roosevelt Avenue, we will shut you down," said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry.
Daughtry formulated the plan, which includes nearly 200 officers flooding the neighborhood for three months, starting on Tuesday.
"Before we would come here, we would do an operation and move onto another part of the city," he said. "This we're dedicated. We planted the city's flag and we're not leaving for 90 days..
Less than a month ago, Eyewitness News covered a hearing, where frustrated parents in Jackson Heights and Corona came together to demand change in response to alleged sex workers and brothels operating just steps away from schools in their neighborhood.
Police hope that with the huge task force here to stay, people who live in the area will start to see a difference soon.
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