New Yorkers in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 14th Congressional District, covering parts of the Bronx and Queens, are seething over a 70% spike in major crimes since she took office in 2019, far outpacing the city’s 30% increase, per NYPD data analyzed by the New York Post. The surge includes murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny, and auto theft. The 110th Precinct in Queens, home to Roosevelt Avenue’s infamous “Market of Sweethearts”—a notorious hub for human trafficking and prostitution—saw a staggering 105% rise, the highest of any NYC precinct. The 115th Precinct, spanning Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst, reported an 85% jump, while other precincts in AOC’s district also exceeded citywide trends.
Residents like Guadalupe Alvarez, a lifelong Elmhurst resident in the 110th Precinct, are fed up. Once an AOC supporter, Alvarez now describes her neighborhood as overrun by “trash, gangs, and brothels,” pointing to a prostitution ring across from her home and frequent assaults. At a 2024 Bronx town hall, she challenged Ocasio-Cortez on the worsening conditions but was brushed off to an aide. “She doesn’t live here; she doesn’t get it,” Alvarez told the Post. Social media, especially X, has amplified these frustrations, with users like @JDunlap1974 and @DOGE__news citing the 70% crime surge and linking it to AOC’s “defund the police” advocacy, which they argue has emboldened criminals.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal proponent of defunding the police, has downplayed crime concerns, calling them “hysteria” in 2021 and arguing in 2022 that police budgets don’t directly affect crime rates. Her vote against a resolution condemning defunding efforts has further fueled criticism. Hannah Meyers of the Manhattan Institute argues that AOC’s rhetoric has contributed to an NYPD recruitment crisis, with officer shortages weakening public safety. The 110th Precinct, already strained, struggles to address the open-air sex trade and gang activity, leaving residents feeling abandoned.
The crime surge comes amid broader national tensions, including recent reports of unusual activities in cities like New York and President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, which have heightened public unease. In AOC’s district, the contrast between her progressive ideals and the gritty reality on the ground has sparked a backlash. Community leaders and residents are demanding action, with some calling for increased police funding and others urging AOC to address local concerns directly. X posts have circulated images of Roosevelt Avenue’s decay, with users questioning why the congresswoman, who lives outside the district, seems disconnected from its struggles.
As Ocasio-Cortez prepares for re-election, the crime wave poses a political challenge. Her district’s residents, once drawn to her bold vision, now grapple with fear and frustration. With the 110th Precinct’s 105% crime spike as a glaring symbol of decline, AOC faces mounting pressure to respond—or risk losing the trust of her constituents.
