Local leaders in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Queens district are urgently calling on FBI Director Kash Patel to address the growing problem of foreign gangs involved in prostitution and drug trafficking along Roosevelt Avenue. Community members have organized rallies outside notorious brothels, where women reportedly solicit clients on the street before entering these establishments.

Roosevelt Avenue has long struggled with crime and prostitution despite multiple NYPD crackdowns. Police report detaining 350 people this year alone for prostitution-related offenses in the area. Some brothels operate under the guise of legitimate businesses, such as massage parlors or hidden behind bodegas, making enforcement challenging.

The Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition, which advocates for safer streets and improved living conditions in this predominantly immigrant neighborhood, has repeatedly written to the FBI requesting a federal crackdown. In April, federal agencies arrested eight alleged members of the violent 18th Street gang, but coalition leaders say this only led to replacements, calling for broader action under racketeering and trafficking laws.

They warn that gangs like the 18th Street gang, Tren de Aragua, and Chinese organized crime groups still control the area, engaging in human trafficking and distributing fraudulent green cards. Coalition spokesperson Rosa Sanchez stressed the toll on the community’s well-being, emphasizing that children are exposed daily to the trauma of forced prostitution.

Rep. Grace Meng, representing part of the district, supports the call for federal action. She has requested over \$500,000 for nonprofits focused on violence interruption and support for sex trafficking victims, while pushing for federal funding to strengthen NYPD efforts against crime on Roosevelt Avenue.