NEW YORK – New York State Troopers are assisting the New York City Police Department in eliminating illegal activity in several Queens neighborhoods.
The crackdown covers a nearly two-mile stretch along Roosevelt Avenue from 74th Street to 111th Street in Elmhurst, North Corona and Jackson Heights.
Mayor Adams Launches 90-Day ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt’
Mayor Eric Adams made a bold promise Tuesday, setting a 90-day goal to clean up the illegal vendors and prostitution he said plagues Roosevelt Avenue.
“We will end sex trafficking in this area. We are not here for one day and then leave. We are here to make the problem go away,” he said.
The mayor said the enhanced police presence includes nine lieutenants, 42 sergeants and 176 police officers.
Adams emphasizes that this is a 90-day program and says they want to get these issues under control within three months so that this increased police presence is not permanent.
NYPD targets suspected brothels in Queens
Just before noon on Tuesday, a large group of local police and New York state troopers deployed by Governor Kathy Hochul closed down a suspected brothel on the third floor of a building at 95th Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
“Our undercover went to the location you see behind me here. An offer was made,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry.
The big crackdown came just days after CBS News New York reported on officers raiding another massage parlor down the street.
The increased enforcement is a huge relief for neighbors like Gloria Contreras, mother of 9-year-old Victoria.
“It’s really dangerous because I have to explain to her that these young ladies are standing 20 in a corner,” Contreras said.
But there is not much the police can do as some of these alleged brothels reopen under different names just days after being closed.
“We’re working with the district attorney’s office to stop that… We’re going to shut you all down before these 90 days are up. We’re coming for you,” Daughtry said.
