October 29, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The months of November and December bring many joyous occasions for people celebrating holidays that include the lighting of candles.

My Office would like to remind everyone to be mindful of the potential dangers of leaving candlelight unattended for an extended period of time.

Queens is one the most diverse places in the world and we are proud that so many different communities call this borough home. However, during this time of the year, the City's Fire Department responds to an increased amount of fire incidents inside residential dwellings that can cause serious injuries and property damage.

For this reason, I personally urge everyone to put out all candles before bedtime or prior to leaving your home. Do not leave burning candles overnight or otherwise unattended during the day.

I also encourage you to test and replace the batteries of your fire alarm. If you currently do not have a fire alarm, you may contact the Red Cross to obtain a free one.

Let's all do our part to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
In The Courts
  • Bronx man indicted for first NYC homicide of 2021 outside Umbrella Hotel in Kew Gardens
  • Bronx man sentenced to up to life in prison for murder in 2016 botched home invasion in South Richmond Hill
  • Queens resident sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to 2019 shooting death of a man in Jamaica
  • Queens grand jury indicts man for random attacks on Muslims; defendant charged with robbery and assault as a hate crime
Support for Domestic Violence Victims
In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, my Office donated boxes of home good items, including blankets, bed sheets, comforters, curtains, and dinnerware, to the Queens Family Justice Center.

The donations, facilitated by my Community Partnerships Division, will help survivors and their families who have been placed in new homes to start over. I express my gratitude to Executive Director of the Queens Family Justice Center Susan Jacob (pictured below) for providing essential assistance to domestic violence victims throughout the Borough.

Those who are suffering should know that they are not alone. If you are living in fear, or would like to understand the types of services available, call my Domestic Violence Helpline at 718-286-4410 for assistance, no matter the day or time. We are here to help.
Youth Empowerment Opportunity
The Youth Empowerment Bureau within my Office is currently recruiting new members for our Student Advisory Council.

The program is designed to educate students and our staff about the views of our young people on important topics within the criminal justice space.

If you know of a current student who may be interested, contact the Bureau by calling 718-286-6440 or emailing YouthEmpowerment@queensda.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System
This week, I joined the Greenburger Center for Social & Criminal Justice and John Jay College of Criminal Justice for an important conversation on properly addressing mental illness within the criminal justice system.

The Rehabilitation Programs and Restorative Services Bureau, which I created, ensures that cases received by my Office are reviewed and assessed for mental health issues. Cases are then also carefully evaluated for eligibility for diversion programs and/or treatment services to better address the root cause of criminal behavior and lower the chances of repeat offenses.

I thank the Greenburger Center and John Jay for inviting me to participate in this discussion.
Ceremony for Civic Leader
Bob Taylor was not only an asset to his local community but also a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who went out of his way to help others. I was fortunate to personally know Bob and his family for over 40 years.

The bench dedication ceremony held last weekend in his memory provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Bob's life and legacy.

When people sit on this bench, they will remember Bob, whose involvement in community service continues to have a positive impact on our daily life.
Street Fair in Forest Hills
Members of my Community Engagement Bureau joined local area residents, civic leaders, and elected officials for a street fair at McDonald park over the weekend, which was hosted by the 112th Police Precinct.

The fair provided family friendly entertainment, free giveaways, informational literature and contact details for various City agencies, including my Office.
Gun Buy Back Program
As a reminder, next Saturday, November 6th, I am hosting a Gun Buy Back event at the First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst, Queens. Surrender an operable gun and receive a $200 bank card and iPad with no questions asked.

Additional details are available on the flyer below.