As Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expands her national profile through speaking tours with Senator Bernie Sanders and appearances at major events, many residents back home in her Bronx and Queens district say they’re feeling neglected. While she champions national causes like income inequality and healthcare, concerns are mounting locally over a sharp rise in crime and a growing sense of unease among constituents.
Recent data shows that major crime has surged in certain parts of her district. In Queens’ 110th Precinct, which includes parts of Roosevelt Avenue, burglary, robbery, and auto theft have increased by 105%. The neighboring 115th Precinct has reported an 85% rise. These numbers have ignited frustration among community members who feel their safety has taken a backseat to political grandstanding.
Guadalupe Alvarez, a longtime Elmhurst resident and once a supporter of the congresswoman, voiced her disillusionment after a local town hall meeting left her with more questions than answers. “She doesn’t live in the neighborhood, she doesn’t care,” Alvarez said. “She walked out the back door instead of listening to us. We’re the ones who got her elected, and now we’re invisible.”
Local leaders are echoing that sentiment. City Council candidate Ramses Frias called for immediate action, saying, “People are suffering. They’re scared to go outside. We need leadership that understands the urgency of what’s happening on our streets.”
Experts say the crime spike is driven by several factors, including officer shortages and strained public services. Hannah Meyers, Director of Policing and Public Safety at the Manhattan Institute, explained, “Police departments are struggling to hire. Recruitment is low, resources are stretched thin, and response times are suffering. Communities like these are being left behind.”
Meyers emphasized the importance of balancing national engagement with local responsibility. “It’s one thing to fight for change on a national level, but if your own constituents don’t feel safe walking home, you’ve lost touch with the very people who put their trust in you.”
Ocasio-Cortez has often positioned herself as a champion of justice and reform, but residents say they’re still waiting to see those values applied close to home. For them, issues like public safety, clean streets, and livable neighborhoods aren’t political talking points—they’re daily struggles.
“Safety is the foundation for everything,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association. “If people don’t feel safe, nothing else matters—schools, jobs, even voting. It all starts with secure communities.”
As Ocasio-Cortez continues her national advocacy, her constituents are watching closely, hoping that the leader who captured headlines with bold ideas will also turn her attention to the growing problems right outside her district office.