Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic congresswoman from New York, recently announced the installation of new trash receptacles along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, a move that has attracted a variety of responses from her constituents. On August 8, Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent member of the so-called socialist "Squad," took to social media to proclaim victory in her "war on trash," citing the successful collaboration with the New York City Department of Sanitation to address hygiene issues in the area. Her office touted the addition of 51 trash cans as a significant improvement for the local community.
However, the initiative quickly became a flashpoint for controversy. Residents and critics were swift in highlighting that the trash cans do little to mitigate the more pressing issues plaguing the district, particularly the rampant crime and prostitution along Roosevelt Avenue. Known for the "Market of Sweethearts" red-light district, the area has been a hotbed for illegal activities, drawing the ire of community members and law enforcement alike.
Ramses Frias, an Elmhurst Republican and City Council candidate, offered a scathing critique, equating the celebration of the new bins to superficially dressing up a much deeper problem. Local civic leaders, such as Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition, expressed frustration over what they perceive as Ocasio-Cortez's lack of presence and direct engagement with the district's challenges, outside of occasional parade appearances.
The Department of Sanitation clarified that the actual number of replaced bins was 48, not 51 as Ocasio-Cortez claimed, noting that such replacements are part of routine maintenance efforts to address bins that go missing or suffer from damage and wear. This discrepancy has added fuel to the fire for those accusing the congresswoman of grandstanding.
Despite the criticisms, Ocasio-Cortez's office defended her attention to the sanitation issue, highlighting requests from business owners and her efforts to secure federal funding to support victims of sexual violence. Yet, her detractors argue that the focus on trash cans diverts attention from the serious crime and public safety issues in her district. The congresswoman's advocacy for the decriminalization of prostitution is also a contentious point, with many residents fearing that such policies may worsen the situation in the red-light corridor.
