April 22, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
From the beginning of my administration, my Office has worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute drivers of crime while supporting vital treatment programs, rehabilitation efforts and diversion initiatives to help break the cycle of violence.

Whether individuals are trafficking guns from the South or assembling fully functional "ghost guns" by purchasing parts on the internet, we have and will continue to take down criminal enterprises that inflict pain on Queens' residents.

However, the approach to public safety must be multi-faceted because we cannot prosecute our way out of gun violence plaguing our streets. That is why I have also focused on funding crime prevention efforts and youth development services through nearly $3 million in grants allocated to community-based organizations.

To build upon these efforts, my Office recently launched a new 12-months' long gun diversion program, in close partnership with the Queens Criminal Court and the Fortune Society. Spearheaded by my Office's Rehabilitation Programs and Restorative Services Bureau, the gun diversion program will engage participants in a rigorous, year-long process to understand the consequences of their actions and address the trauma or community conditions that led to their offense. The program will ensure that eligible offenders charged with criminal possession of a weapon without a prior criminal conviction are held accountable while reducing future involvement with the criminal justice system.

My Office will continue to utilize all tools at our disposal to keep Queens County safe. 
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
In The Courts
  • Brooklyn man charged with three hate attacks on Sikhs in Richmond Hill
United Against Hate Crimes
On the heels of Governor Kathy Hochul's funding announcement to combat hate crimes, I joined the Governor on a visit to The Sikh Cultural Society, Inc (Gurdwara) and the Jamaica Muslim Center to emphasize our united front against acts of hate in Queens County.

What makes this Borough great is the diversity of its people. Our diversity is our strength, and no acts of violence will undermine who we are. I thank the Governor for her visit and steadfast leadership on this issue.
Queens Family Justice Center
The Queens Family Justice Center, under the leadership of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, provides invaluable services to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. I was proud to recently join the Center's Executive Director, Susan Jacob, to tout the work of her team for a feature article by the Queens Daily Eagle.

Our offices work hand in hand to provide victims with safety planning, shelter assistance, and community resources. Call our domestic violence helpline at 718-286-4410 if you need help, no matter the day or time. We are committed to helping survivors find a path to safety and healing.
Gun Buyback Program
Tomorrow, Saturday, April 23rd, surrender an operable firearm and receive a $200 bank card AND an iPad, with absolutely no questions asked.

Where: Praise Tabernacle Church in Jamaica
When: 10 AM - 4 PM
112th Precinct Community Council
As part of my community outreach efforts, I joined the monthly meeting of the 112th Police Precinct Community Council this week to speak to members about the services my Office provides for victims of crime.

I also discussed the ways in which we are strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and members of the public as I continue my third year in office. I thank Council President Heidi Chain for having me.
Fraud Awareness
My Office continues to stay vigilant about trending schemes and fraudulent activity targeting Queens consumers so that we are better equipped to prosecute scammers and educate the public on prevention tactics.

Members of my Frauds Bureau recently presented to the Queens Village Civic Association on the types of scams we are seeing and resources available for victims. If you find yourself a victim of a fraud or scam, or if you would like to facilitate a presentation for your community members, contact our Frauds Bureau via 718.286.6673 or Frauds@queensda.org. We're here to help.
The Rundown Podcast
Queens Public Library provides a great program for youths interested in broadcast media. My Office is proud to sponsor this free workshop in Far Rockaway to help teens learn how to produce their own podcast and make their voices heard.

The next workshop takes place on April 26th at 3:00 PM at the Far Rockaway Teen Library. You can visit the Queens Public Library's website for more information.