Residents of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s New York City district are sounding the alarm over the alarming conditions they face daily, calling into question the effectiveness of their progressive representative. Constituents report an explosion of illicit activities and general lawlessness, painting a stark picture that many feel resembles a “third-world” environment.
The streets have become a veritable marketplace for prostitution, with migrants openly soliciting sex, while local businesses, many of which are barely hanging on, are reportedly being terrorized by pimps. It’s a troubling reality that has forced residents to confront the dire consequences of unchecked immigration and lax enforcement of the law. “This area has been run rampant with prostitution,” said Ramses Frias, a local resident and activist, during an interview with *Fox News Digital*. “It’s just been out of control, and the lawlessness continues to happen.”
Residents like Frias, who have spent their lives in this community, express a deep sense of loss as they witness their neighborhood deteriorate. “This doesn’t feel like my home,” he lamented, describing how the influx of illegal immigrants has transformed the once vibrant area into a scene reminiscent of cities like Bangkok. “I’ve been here my whole life, and this feels like I’m a tourist in a Third World country,” he added, emphasizing the drastic change in quality of life.
The sentiment echoed by Frias is shared by many others who are frustrated by the current state of affairs. The streets, once bustling with family-run businesses and a sense of community, are now littered with trash and illegal vendors flouting health regulations. Residents feel they are living in a “war zone,” struggling to maintain their livelihoods amidst the chaos that has overtaken their community. “This is not how it’s supposed to look; this is not how it’s supposed to feel,” Frias asserted, highlighting the plight of hardworking families who have invested their lives in the neighborhood.
Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a Republican mayoral candidate, shed light on the dramatic shift in community dynamics. He reminisced about the days when the area was thriving and family-oriented. “It was never like this. It was a family area with a lot of retail,” he stated, expressing disbelief at the open prostitution that now operates without fear of consequence. “You get to do what you want when you want. It’s lawless. Anarchy.”
Sliwa also pointed out the stark contrast between how the city tolerates these conditions in less affluent neighborhoods compared to wealthier areas like Manhattan. “This would never be tolerated in Manhattan,” he noted, criticizing the double standard that seems to govern the city’s response to crime and disorder. “They tolerate it because it’s a poor and impoverished area in the eyes of many New Yorkers, but that doesn’t give you a reason to allow this to exist.”
Underlying these issues is a pervasive sense of corruption within New York City politics, which Sliwa argues is allowing such conditions to persist. “This is so unfair,” he said, pointing to what he perceives as a culture of corruption that has infiltrated the city’s law enforcement and political landscape. “These police officers are on the take. It’s the only way they could operate openly.”
As Ocasio-Cortez continues to push her progressive agenda, her constituents are left grappling with the tangible impacts of her policies on their lives. It remains to be seen whether she will address these urgent concerns or remain insulated from the realities facing those who put her in office.
In the meantime, residents are united in their desire for change, hoping for a return to the safe and thriving community they once knew. As the cries for help grow louder, the question remains: will their voices be heard, or will they continue to be drowned out by the noise of political agendas and misplaced priorities?
