If you walk down Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, you’re hitting a spot that’s lowkey becoming the city’s most infamous open-air scene. Known to some as the 'Market of Sweethearts,' the strip stretching through Jackson Heights and Corona has been flooded with workers and clients lately, and the vibes are definitely off for local residents.
Real talk: things have changed fast. NYPD records show that prostitution-related arrests on the avenue have taken a massive 59% nosedive this year, with only 193 arrests recorded through Sept. 13. Compare that to the same period last year, when 468 arrests were made during 'Operation Restore Roosevelt,' a focused enforcement effort.
One regular visitor—a 40-year-old from Manhattan—boasted that getting a hookup is 'super easy' and way cheaper than in Manhattan, noting that prices for services can range from $60 to $300 depending on the worker. He claimed that the women are everywhere, often operating in plain sight of patrolling officers.
Why the shift?
The decline in enforcement is hitting different, and local leaders are pointing fingers at City Hall. Democratic district leader and former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate argues that the current administration is making it harder for police to do their jobs, calling the situation a 'disaster.' Meanwhile, City Hall spokesman Sam Raskin says the Mayor is committed to addressing the conditions by pairing enforcement with support services for survivors.
While some see this as a failure of policy, others, like the visitor from Manhattan, think the issue is that the women know the laws are soft. 'The police are always around, but it seems like there’s nothing they can do,' he said.
Why it matters
For the people living in Jackson Heights and Corona, the situation is a major headache. While major crimes like shootings and murders are actually down 3% in the area, the blatant nature of the sex trade has turned the neighborhood into a pressure cooker, leaving locals wondering when, or if, the city will actually shut it down for good.
