Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) remembers when the stairs from the movie Joker were just a place to avoid.

When I was growing up, everyone would tell us to stay away from those steps or go with a friend, the Bronx, New York, native told TMZ on Capitol Hill Tuesday. (See the clip above.)

But the borough became safer, she said. And now the steps at West 167th Street have been immortalized by Joaquin Phoenix s clown prince of crime dancing on them in the blockbuster film. Tourists are reportedly flocking there for photos.