Local Crime Rises as AOC Focuses Nationally
While Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tours the country with high-profile figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, residents in her New York district say growing crime is being overlooked at home. Major crimes in parts of Queens have spiked—by 105% in the 110th Precinct and 85% in the 115th—since she took office in 2019, according to The New York Post.
Community Frustrations Mount
Some constituents feel abandoned. “She doesn’t live in the neighborhood, she doesn’t care,” said Elmhurst resident Guadalupe Alvarez, once a supporter. Alvarez added, “She did a very silent exit through the back,” after a town hall meeting, accusing the congresswoman of avoiding tough questions.
City Council candidate Ramses Frias echoed these concerns, saying, “People are suffering. They’re scared to go outside. We need leadership that prioritizes community safety and real solutions.”
Policing and Public Safety Challenges
Experts blame the crime rise partly on police staffing issues and resource shortages. “Nobody wants to be a police officer right now,” said Hannah Meyers of the Manhattan Institute. She warned that fewer officers and strained departments make communities more vulnerable. “What’s happening locally is just as important,” she added.
Calls for Local Focus
Though Ocasio-Cortez champions national issues like income inequality and healthcare, local residents want her to address everyday problems. “Safety is the foundation for everything else,” said National Police Association spokesperson Betsy Brantner Smith. “If people don’t feel secure in their own community, that affects every part of their lives.”
