NEWYORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a major public safety milestone along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens: an over 28 percent drop in crime from the start of the year through mid-June, driven by nine months of a sustained multi-agency enforcement initiative known as “Operation Restore Roosevelt.”
The initiative — part of the Adams administration’s larger “community link” initiative — has combined strategic enforcement, targeted outreach, and critical services to address long-standing issues in the area, including prostitution, illegal brothels, unlicensed vendors and food carts, retail theft and the sale of stolen goods, and other quality-of-life offenses.
“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe from gun violence, with clean streets and free from illegal activity — and that’s exactly what we’re delivering on Roosevelt Avenue,” said Mayor Adams.
“This administration wasn’t going to tolerate an atmosphere of anything goes. We listened to the community and took action, launching ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt’ as one of our signature ‘Community Link’ initiatives. Eight months later, the results are clear: crime is down more than 28 percent, with double-digit drops in burglaries, assaults, robberies, and more. That’s not an accident — it’s the result of our clear and continuing focus on public safety and quality of life. Whether it’s sweeping out illegal brothels, shutting down ghost vehicles, or taking down violent gangs, we are using every tool at our disposal to improve life for New Yorkers. Through this work, we are ensuring that New York City remains the safest big city in America, the best place to raise a family, and a place where you know your city is looking out for you — on the streets, in parks, in the subways, and on the sidewalks.”
“For too long, Roosevelt Avenue was overwhelmed by illegal activity — from prostitution and unlicensed vendors to violent gangs operating in plain sight,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
“Since the start of ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt,’ the NYPD and our city partners have led a sustained effort to take this corridor back. We’ve cracked down on crime, restored a sense of order, and delivered the kind of enforcement that makes a real difference in people’s lives. This isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about long-term commitment. And the results speak for themselves. I want to thank Mayor Adams and our agency partners for making this progress possible.”
“For years, the people of Queens were led to believe that accepting dirty conditions and criminal activity along Roosevelt Avenue was just part of living in New York,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Acting Commissioner Javier Lojan.
“But that misguided narrative was wrong, and these numbers are proof that we can improve the quality of life for our neighbors across the city by removing bureaucratic roadblocks and working together to do what needs to be done. Queens is cleaner and safer because of this effort.”
“The dramatic decrease in crime on Roosevelt Avenue is proof that when government responds to a community in a united effort it can succeed,” said New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya.
“With cleaner and safer streets comes more opportunities for us to celebrate all that our diverse community has to offer. I thank Mayor Adams for supporting me and my neighbors and giving us the resources we deserve to feel as safe as any affluent neighborhood in New York City. We will continue to fight for every New Yorker to not just live but thrive.”
Across the corridor, 177 fewer major crimes were committed compared to the same period last year. The area has seen double-digit declines in several key crime categories: burglaries are down 48 percent, grand larcenies are down 29.4 percent, felony assaults are down 28.2 percent, and robberies are down 26.6 percent.
Additionally, complaints of petit larceny are down by 28 percent, and reported sex crimes have plummeted by 52.5 percent. At the same time, prostitution-related arrests have risen nearly fivefold — an increase of 477.8 percent compared to the same period last year — reflecting intensified enforcement against illegal activity and sex trafficking.
