AOC Under Fire as Crime Surges in Her District Amid National Ambitions

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, once hailed as the rising star of the progressive movement, is facing growing backlash from her own constituents as crime continues to spike dramatically in the neighborhoods she was elected to represent.

While the Democratic representative tours the country with progressive icons like Senator Bernie Sanders on her “Fight The Oligarchy” campaign and appears at high-profile events to boost her national image, residents back home in Queens and the Bronx say their communities are being neglected—and they’re growing increasingly frustrated.

According to local crime statistics, the areas Ocasio-Cortez represents have experienced a massive uptick in major crimes since she first took office in 2019. The 110th Precinct in Queens, which includes a notorious stretch of Roosevelt Avenue known for illegal activity, has seen an increase of over 100% in serious crimes such as robbery, assault, burglary, and auto theft.

Similarly, the 115th Precinct—also within her district—has seen a sharp 85% jump in major offenses. Residents and local leaders are placing some of the blame on Ocasio-Cortez’s absence and her vocal stance on national issues rather than local priorities.

“She’s abandoned us,” said Guadelupe Alvarez, a former supporter from Elmhurst. “She doesn’t even seem to live here anymore. We don’t see her. And things are getting worse by the day.”

Alvarez, who once envisioned raising a family in the neighborhood, now says she’s planning to leave. “I can’t wait to get the hell out of here. It breaks my heart, but this place isn’t safe anymore,” she said. “And I’m not alone. So many of my friends and neighbors feel the same way.”

She recalled trying to voice her concerns at a town hall meeting last year but says her attempts were brushed off. “I asked her if she’d been to Jackson Heights or Elmhurst lately, if she even knew what’s happening here. She didn’t respond. Just pointed me to one of her staff and slipped out quietly.”

The perception among many constituents is that their representative has grown more interested in cultivating a national profile than addressing the real, immediate problems her district is facing.

Local Republican City Council candidate Ramses Frias didn’t hold back in his criticism either. “People here are scared. Scared to go outside. And the person who’s supposed to represent them is off giving speeches about the billionaire class while ignoring the working-class people in her own backyard.”

Some policy analysts also point to the congresswoman’s rhetoric on policing as part of the problem. Her outspoken support for defunding police departments and reshaping law enforcement has not been well received by all, especially as violence and disorder appear to grow.

“Nobody wants to be a cop anymore,” said Hannah Meyers, a public safety researcher. “She’s made police officers into villains, and that affects everything—from response times to investigations to public trust.”

Meyers argued that Ocasio-Cortez’s emphasis on racial justice, while well-intentioned, often fails to address the needs of actual victims of crime in her district, many of whom are people of color. “Focusing entirely on race while ignoring rising crime doesn’t help the Black and Hispanic families who are afraid to walk down their own streets.”

The congresswoman made headlines in 2020 when she bluntly declared, “Defunding the police means defunding the police.” She later doubled down in 2022, claiming that increased police funding had no correlation to lower crime rates—a claim that continues to divide voters.

Critics argue that such statements may sound good on the campaign trail, but don’t reflect the day-to-day reality for many in her community.

“She talks about fighting for the people, for the poor,” said Betsy Brantner Smith of the National Police Association. “But people in her district are terrified. They don’t feel safe. They can’t send their kids to school without worry, they can’t go to the store without being harassed. That’s not freedom.”

Smith added, “If you’re serious about helping people, safety has to come first. You can’t lift people up when they’re constantly looking over their shoulders.”

As Ocasio-Cortez continues to explore a potential run for higher office, possibly even the Senate, questions are mounting over whether she’s lost touch with the very people who launched her political career. For now, her district is speaking loudly—and it wants answers, not slogans.