January 14, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and awareness is key to help combat this illegal and degrading industry. That is why my Office held a webinar this week on the warning signs of Labor Trafficking. If you missed the live stream of our webinar, I encourage you to watch it by clicking here.

While there has been a consistent increase in the identification, investigation, and prosecutions of sex traffickers over the past two decades, the same increase has not occurred with respect to labor trafficking.

Far too often, people who are victims feel they are alone and helpless. They may not have a concrete grasp of the situation because they were groomed from an early age. That is why community-wide awareness is so important.

Below are the names and contact information for organizations that provide empowerment, mentorship, educational and prevention services to help victims of exploitation exit their dangerous situations and reclaim their lives.


As always, if you or someone you know has been a victim or would like to report suspicious activity, you may contact our Human Trafficking Bureau by calling 718-286-6548 or emailing humantrafficking@queensda.org. We're here to help.
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
In The Courts
  • Queens man indicted in machete death of his mother, who was killed in February 2021
  • Queens resident charged with attempted murder for shoving man onto subway tracks in May 2021
  • Queens man pleads guilty to manslaughter in shooting death of the mother of his infant child in 2017
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Wednesday, January 19th, join our virtual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program will feature keynote speaker Reverend Kirsten John Foy, President and Founder of the Arc of Justice, in addition to a number of musical performances by local artists.

Click here to RSVP.
Combatting Fraud
One of the ways we combat fraud in Queens County is through public education and awareness efforts. This week, Frauds Bureau Chief Joe Conley and I joined the Hillcrest Jewish Center to speak to members about how to avoid being victimized by trending scams and schemes.

The Frauds Bureau investigates and prosecutes crimes in this Borough related to embezzlement, elder fraud, trademark counterfeiting, organized theft, cybercrime, crimes against revenue, environmental crimes, confidence scams, and pattern burglaries.

If you are interested in having the Bureau conduct a presentation for your community based organization, call 718.286.6673 or email Frauds@queensda.org.
Housing and Worker Protection
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place challenges on housing and employment opportunities, I want to ensure that Queens residents are provided with the appropriate resources without exploitation.

Our Housing & Worker Protection Bureau investigates and prosecutes a wide range of workplace safety violations and real estate scams.

If you need help, call 718.286.6673 or email HousingWorkerProtection@queensda.org. Don't hesitate to reach out, regardless of your immigration status. We do not share victim or witness information with immigration authorities.
Resource Hub for Fire Victims
We were devastated to learn the news of the tragic fire in our neighboring Bronx County over the weekend. We pray for the victims and stand at the ready to help however necessary.

The City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who were affected, including housing assistance, healthcare information, and legal services. It's important to note that those seeking services will not be asked about their immigration status.

If you were not personally affected but would like to help, the website also contains a link to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which is raising money to support victims of this tragic event.