A stretch of Jackson Heights, specifically Roosevelt Avenue near 91st Street, has become an illegal migrant shopping district where stolen goods are openly sold by vendors who have ripped them off from local shopkeepers. This area is also plagued by sex workers who openly proposition passersby at all hours. Despite the frustration of merchants and residents, they feel helpless to do anything about the situation. Law enforcement does attempt to address the issue by picking up some of the offenders, but they quickly resume their illegal activities once the officers leave.
Migrant peddlers spread out their stolen merchandise on the sidewalk for resale at discounted prices. The goods are stored in suitcases in vans parked across the street and are brought out for display each morning. The vendors scatter when they see law enforcement or news crews, mistaking them for police officers, only to resume business once they pass by. The presence of these vendors has impacted the quality of life for the community, and residents feel that soft-on-crime laws have contributed to the persistence of criminal activities in the area.
Prostitution has also been a significant issue in this neighborhood, with a “Market of Sweethearts” thriving with sex for sale right on the street or in walk-up buildings functioning as brothels. Despite efforts by law enforcement to shut down some of these illegal operations, the sex trade continues to flourish. The presence of both sex workers and shoplifting migrants has created a negative environment for local retailers, who suffer losses from stolen merchandise being resold at lower prices just steps away from their stores.
Security guards and shopkeepers in the area have tried to address the issue of stolen goods being openly sold by migrants, but their efforts seem futile as the perpetrators continue their activities without consequences. The situation has escalated to the point where it has become a sub-economy in the neighborhood, with customers buying from these illegal vendors out of convenience or necessity. Despite complaints from customers and locals, calls to 311 have not been effective in curbing the lawlessness in the area.
The proliferation of criminal activity in Jackson Heights has become normalized for some residents, who now view the presence of illegal vendors and sex workers as a regular occurrence in their community. The growing number of offenders engaged in these activities and the lack of effective enforcement have contributed to the deteriorating quality of life in the neighborhood. The combination of lenient laws and a wave of people engaged in criminal behavior has created a volatile situation that impacts both the local community and the city as a whole. Efforts are needed to address these issues and provide support for law enforcement to effectively combat these illegal activities.
