Prostitution on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens is getting worse, residents say

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Open prostitution in broad daylight along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens continues to be a major problem. What is more concerning about it is that residents say it is only getting worse. They also say other types of crimes are impacting the area drastically.

Residents and community leaders in Jackson Heights are once again sounding the alarm. They say crime of all kinds continues to take over the bustling Roosvelt Avenue business district.

“Every corner is bad. I just witnessed a major drug deal, a lot of money right on the corner," said Cristina, a resident who claims has over 200 complaints to 311 about different issues.

Those who live and work on or near the popular avenue say they are inundated with shoplifters and sidewalks with dozens of sex workers. It's a scene they say has gotten worse in the last few months.

"There are a lot of good people, a lot of immigrants that like to work like you see in the restaurant like me, but a lot of new immigrants come here to rob people and a lot of prostitution," Jackson Heights resident Joseph Pnea said.

PIX11 News has exposed the illegal business of sex workers multiple times over the years, including when the NYPD broke down the doors to prostitution parlors in January of this year. But the cleanup efforts seem to have no impact.

“Twenty-four hours a day there is prostitution running wild. There is clearly sex trafficking," said Hiram Monserrate, a former member of the New York City Council. “We got rampant drug sales, unlicensed vendors selling food and stolen items."

Monserrate and Ramon Ramirez, founder of the Let’s Improve Roosevelt Ave. Coalition, will be presenting to local and state officials a five-point plan to tackle the uptick in illegal activities along the Roosevelt Avenue corridor, which passes through Corona, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.

“We need Roosevelt Avenue to be expanded. At least 120 police officers. We need both the 110 and 115 precincts to receive an additional 50 police officers each. We need the avenue to be under the command of one police precinct," said Monserrate.

Business owners and workers said they are losing money because they are constantly getting robbed by gang members and criminal organizations.

“Sometimes people come and take this and run away. That has happened like six to seven times just this month,” said Juan, who works at a clothing store.