Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing mounting criticism as her congressional district in Queens reportedly remains a hotbed for unlicensed “sweethearts” markets as well as drugs and crime, sparking local residents to plead for help, the New York Post reports. Their representative, however, has reportedly left them to suffer and allegedly is suggesting that they take their problems to someone else.
Community members have accused her of failing to provide the leadership and action expected of a congressional representative, particularly as criminal activity and illicit markets have reportedly soared along Roosevelt Avenue.
Leaders like Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition, said they have “not personally seen Ocasio-Cortez” actively working in the community, except for occasional parade appearances. They pointedly question whether she is fulfilling her duties, arguing that rampant illegal vending and sex trafficking are devastating the area while she has offered little meaningful response.
During a recent meeting about illegal vending, Ocasio-Cortez allegedly deflected responsibility, stating that larger crime problems should be handled by the mayor, NYPD, and city officials, not by her congressional office. Residents see this as unacceptable deflection from the serious local issues that are within her advocacy scope as an elected leader.
Local business owners claim that unregulated vendors—who sometimes sell stolen goods—are driving legitimate stores toward closure and congesting streets, while authorities and Ocasio-Cortez fail to intervene effectively.
Critics argue Ocasio-Cortez’s approach lacks concrete plans or urgency to tackle sex trafficking and lawlessness that have reportedly become endemic, leaving vulnerable residents without representation or recourse. This pattern of absenteeism and lack of direct action has generated substantial dissatisfaction within her district, with many questioning her commitment to the community’s welfare in the face of increasingly dire local problems.
AOC’s lack of response to her district’s dire concerns has reportedly prompted the residents to reach out the Trump administration for help, specifically from the FBI and Homeland Security, in an effort to bring an end to the dangerous lawlessness plaguing their community.
According to The Post, “Despite efforts of the NYPD and the city to clean up the troubled corridor, illegal vendors and merchants still have a foothold — sometimes peddling items stolen from local stores, locals said.” According to Sanchez, “the unlicensed vendors are putting legitimate merchants out of business while young women forced into sex work…are getting no help from politicians.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s office has acknowledged the concerns and said they are working with city agencies on possible responses, but some residents say action can’t come soon enough.
