“Operation Restore Roosevelt” is a 90-day project led by the NYPD in collaboration with various New York City agencies, that will increase law enforcement along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens to control crime. While the intentions to stop crime are clear, the initiative should allocate more attention and resources to helping marginalized groups and affected New Yorkers in the area.
Roosevelt Avenue is known to run rampant with crime from unlicensed vendors to prostitution, earning itself the name “Market of Sweethearts.” The project mainly aims to target prostitution and brothels.
Residents of the Queens neighborhood have been raising concerns over crime on the avenue. “We cannot be tone deaf to the cries from our constituency and also the small businesses owners, clergy, principles from schools,” City Councilmember Francisco Moya said in an interview with PIX.
While prostitution is an issue, prosecution of sex work should be focused on pimps and traffickers to target people who exploit others for profit.
In 2021, district attorneys across NYC dismissed hundreds of prostitution cases following the Manhattan district attorney’s office’s announcement. However, they continued to prosecute pimps, traffickers and people who pay for sex to divert law enforcement attention away from sex workers.
Decriminalizing sex work is important for the safety of sex workers as criminalization makes them more vulnerable to violence and can prevent them from accessing proper healthcare or services, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
“As part of the operation, NYPD and partners agencies will also identify specific individuals in the area who may need connections to services, such as housing or medical care, and make referrals to the appropriate city agency or service provider,” the NYC Office of the Mayor stated in a press release.
City agencies such as the FDNY, the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health and others are involved in the operation.
“This initiative will ensure that no issues get lost between agencies and that we are all working in tandem to provide the people of my district with the safety and quality of life they deserve,” Moya said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also aided in the initiative by deploying 100 state troopers. The heavy presence of law enforcement is to ensure crime does not return.
Operation Restore Roosevelt should ensure the safety of sex workers and help provide resources to avoid further exploitation and abuse from law enforcement.
