As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) expands her national presence through speaking engagements and progressive events, growing discontent is emerging in her home district, where many residents feel abandoned amid rising crime. While Ocasio-Cortez headlines the “Fight the Oligarchy” tour with Senator Bernie Sanders and rallies activists nationwide, some constituents in her Bronx and Queens district say her attention to national politics has come at the expense of local priorities and community needs.
According to a report by The New York Post, major crimes in her district have surged by more than 70% since she took office in 2019. In Queens’ 110th Precinct — encompassing the Roosevelt Avenue corridor, long plagued by human trafficking and illegal sex work — crime has risen by 105%, the highest increase in New York City during that period. The nearby 115th Precinct has seen an 85% spike in major offenses, including murder, rape, robbery, and grand larceny. Elmhurst resident and former supporter Guadelupe Alvarez voiced deep frustration, saying she no longer feels safe or hopeful. “She’s not doing anything for the neighborhood. She doesn’t live here, and it shows,” Alvarez told The Post. “I used to dream of building a life in this community, but now I just want to get out. It’s heartbreaking.”
Alvarez said she tried to raise her concerns directly with Ocasio-Cortez at a town hall last year but left feeling ignored. Critics argue that while the congresswoman commands national headlines, local issues such as crime, housing instability, and community safety continue to worsen without meaningful response. Ocasio-Cortez has yet to publicly address the concerns outlined in The Post’s report, but growing frustration among constituents could pose challenges if she seeks higher office or faces a primary challenge in 2026.
