September 6, 2024

We announced $2.7 million in grant funding this week to 34 community-based organizations for the second phase of our Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Project (CYDCPP).

The initiative, originally launched by my office in July 2021, aims to provide youth activities and wraparound services to help prevent crime and keep young people out of the criminal justice system.

The first time our youth encounter law enforcement officials should not be inside the courtroom in the face of tragedy. We have to foster positive police-community relations early and often to enhance public safety in this borough.

The CYDCPP program has proven to be a resounding success, with more than 14,000 individual youth participants gaining crucial hands-on training and guidance on conflict resolution, civic engagement, mental health support, STEM programs, college readiness workshops and much more.

The recipients of the funding in 2021 have helped to empower our youth while increasing public safety in this borough.

I look forward to the implementation of even more wraparound services provided to the young people of Queens through this latest round of funding by my office.

My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz

Queens District Attorney

Welcome to New Assistant District Attorneys

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Assistant District Attorneys Fall Class of 2024!

The new class of 52 prosecutors represents almost two dozen different law schools from regions across the country. I look forward to working with each of them in support of this office’s mission to keep Queens safe while helping to ensure equity inside the criminal justice system.

If you have information regarding the death of Leon Antonio Clarke, shot and killed in Jamaica 23 years ago, contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.

Mobile Office at Bellerose

We have received a lot of positive feedback from our mobile office events at local libraries.

Community Partnerships Division staff have shared vital information with residents, from services we provide to victims of crime to prevention tips on how to avoid falling prey to scams and fraudulent activity.

Join us at our next stop inside the Queens Public Library in Bellerose on September 17 from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Cash for Guns

Gun violence will never become the norm in our communities and my office will continue to make every determined effort to rid our streets of this plague. 

As part of these efforts, we routinely host gun buyback programs because each gun surrendered is a move away from potential tragedy.

Since I initiated such events as the District Attorney, we have taken close to 500 guns off the streets of Queens and we are doing it again. Please see the flyer below for additional details and help us spread the word.