Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed New York State troopers Tuesday to help the NYPD take control of sleazy stretch of Jackson Heights overrun by crime and prostitutes nicknamed the “Market of Sweethearts.”
Troopers were seen gathering with local cops along Roosevelt Avenue near 83rd and 84th streets, awaiting instructions on specific patrols to clean up what neighborhood activists decried as a corridor that had become an “urban crime zone” and home to “more brothels than bodegas.”
Kaz Daughty, NYPD deputy commissioner of operations, was on the scene, indicating the importance of the mission — which came after fed-up local business owners and residents begged for help.
X / @HiramMonserrate
Civic leaders applauded Hochul for dispatching the state troopers and the NYPD and the Adams’ administration for ratcheting up patrols and enforcement following a number of raids that had little long-term effect, as brothels and illegal vendors would sprout back up immediately after they were shut down.
Last week, the Let’s Improve Roosevelt Avenue Coalition urged Hochul to send in state troopers, while NYPD Interim Commissioner Tom Donlon personally visited the notorious strip over the weekend and promised more resources to fight prostitution and sex trafficking and other crimes plaguing the area.
“We appreciate Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Thomas Donlon and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry for assigning more police resources to Roosevelt Avenu,” the group said in a statement. “Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry was on the scene on Roosevelt Avenue and 84th Street this morning.”
Democratic District Leader Hiram Monserrate, the former state senator and councilman and co-founder of the group, said he was “thankful” after observing “well over 200 police officers from the NYPD and NYS Troopers.
“Today, true leadership stood up and began the process of taking Roosevelt Avenue back from the street gangs, cartels, human traffickers, street walkers and other criminal operations,” Monserrate said.
“We support our police, and the community is looking forward to seeing positive results,” he added. “We need public safety and quality of life returned to Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona and East Elmhurst and we will remain vigilant.”
NYPJ
Ramon Ramirez-Baez of the coalition said the group was “confident” that the community was taking a turn for the better.
“Our coalition will continue to defend the community and stand up,” he said. “We are especially grateful to the State of New York that added their resources in confronting this crime wave.”
The Post has reported on the ongoing issues at the troubled strip, where migrant gangs allegedly have a hand in sex trafficking selling stolen goods in illegal sidewalk markets — sometimes feet away from the stores where the items were taken. Brothels were even seen located across the street from public schools.
Police have continually tried to stamp out crime there. In January, the NYPD raided and shut down a dozen brothels along the avenue, describing their “inhumane conditions.”
In September, a 24-hour brothel dubbed “the worst of the worst” was also padlocked.