Earlier this year, the coalition contacted the FBI in April, and federal authorities responded with arrests targeting members of the notorious 18th Street gang. Eight individuals were detained in a joint operation with the DEA and other agencies for violent acts, including beatings and stabbings, meant to maintain control over the Roosevelt Avenue strip.
While the coalition welcomed the arrests, it stressed that a broader federal crackdown under racketeering and trafficking laws is necessary to dismantle the networks controlling the area. According to the group, gangs such as the 18th Street gang, Tren de Aragua, and Chinese organized crime organizations continue to dominate the corridor, engaging in human trafficking and distributing fraudulent green cards.
“The rampant prostitution that we see on our streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is having an adverse effect on the mental and spiritual health of our children and families,” said Rosa Sanchez, spokesperson for the coalition. “There is no reason that our children should witness the human tragedy of women being forced to sell their bodies. It must stop.”
A representative for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez stated that the congresswoman has requested over $500,000 in federal funding to support nonprofits focused on violence interruption and aid for sex trafficking victims in the neighborhood. Local official Grace Meng confirmed she is sharing the coalition’s letter with the FBI and is seeking federal support to provide the NYPD with additional resources to combat crime along Roosevelt Avenue.
“I have formally requested federal money to support local initiatives and projects specifically requested by the NYPD that would provide them with more tools to combat crime in the area,” Meng said in a statement, emphasizing ongoing coordination between law enforcement and the community.
