Hochul sends state troopers to the Market of Sweethearts in New York to clean up the crime-ridden block filled with hookers

Gov. Kathy Hochul dispatched New York state troopers on Tuesday to help the NYPD take control of the seedy section of Jackson Heights plagued by crime and prostitutes and nicknamed the “Love Market.”

Along Roosevelt Avenue near 83rd and 84th Streets, police officers were seen gathering with local police officers, awaiting orders on specific patrols to clear what neighborhood activists denounced as a corridor that was becoming an “urban crime zone.” “ had become and in which there were “more brothels than bodegas”.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughty was on the scene and noted the importance of the mission – which came after weary local business owners and residents begged for help.

Civic leaders applauded Hochul for deploying state troopers and the NYPD and the Adams administration for stepping up patrols and enforcement after a series of raids that had little long-term impact as brothels and illegal vendors sprung up again immediately after they closed down.

Last week, the Let’s Improve Roosevelt Avenue Coalition called for Hochul to send state troopers, while interim NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon personally visited the notorious strip over the weekend, and for more resources to combat prostitution, sex trafficking and other crimes in the area promised.

“We thank Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Thomas Donlon and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry for allocating increased police resources to Roosevelt Avenu,” the group said in a statement. “Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry was on scene at Roosevelt Avenue and 84th Street this morning.”

Democratic County Chairman Hiram Monserrate, a former state senator and city councilman and co-founder of the group, said he was “grateful” after watching “well over 200 NYPD and NYS Troopers officers.”

“Today the true leadership stood up and began taking back Roosevelt Avenue from the street gangs, cartels, human traffickers, street walkers and other criminal activity,” Monserrate said.

“We support our police force and the community looks forward to positive outcomes,” he added. “We need public safety and quality of life restored in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona and East Elmhurst and we will remain vigilant.”

The coalition’s Ramon Ramirez-Baez said the group is “confident” that the community is changing for the better.

“Our coalition will continue to defend and stand up for the community,” he said. “We are especially grateful to New York State for committing its resources to combat this crime wave.”

The Post has reported on the ongoing problems in the troubled zone, where migrant gangs are allegedly involved in sex trafficking by selling stolen goods in illegal street markets – sometimes just meters from the shops where the items were taken. Brothels were even seen across from public schools.

The police have continually tried to curb crime there. In January, the NYPD raided and closed a dozen brothels along the avenue, describing conditions as “inhumane.”

In September, a 24-hour brothel described as “the worst of the worst” was also padlocked.

A state police spokesman said in a statement that the number of soldiers deployed “will fluctuate from day to day.”

“We have deployed troopers to assist the NYPD and the Queens District Attorney’s Office in addressing issues on Roosevelt Avenue that remain ongoing,” said State Police spokesman Beau Duffy.

There was no immediate comment from Mayor Eric Adams’ office, the NYPD or the governor’s office