February 28, 2025

I had the honor of speaking at the Citizens Crime Commission's breakfast forum this week to discuss the work of my office to keep Queens safe. The CCC is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing gun violence and violent extremism through programs, advocacy and policy reform.

To summarize my talking points, last year alone, my office processed a record number of arrests -- almost 60,000 -- conducted more arraignments -- over 45,000 -- offered services to more victims through our Crime Victims Advocate Program -- over 4,500 -- and resolved more cases -- over 43,000 -- than in the preceding two years of my administration.

Queens continues to lead all of New York City in the recovery of ghost guns for the fourth year in a row.

As a result, the number of shooting incidents and shooting victims decreased for the second straight year. In fact, last year was the second lowest year for shooting victims in the past three decades.

We are also making real progress in combatting retail theft, illegal cannabis shops, deed theft and squatters in our borough. At the same time, we are empowering domestic violence and sex trafficking victims and continue to strengthen our partnerships with the community.

I thank the CCC President Richard Aborn (pictured below) for having me, and I look forward to continuing the crucial work of keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz

Queens District Attorney

Cases of Interest

• A defendant was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty last month to manslaughter in the first degree. The defendant, who was firing at someone else, killed a 25-year-old NYCHA employee working on the grounds of the Astoria Houses in April 2020. 
• A Queens man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape, attempted murder and another charge for the violent sexual assault of a woman on a Jamaica rooftop in August 2023. The defendant answered an online prostitution advertisement and lured the victim to the location.

Information Wanted

If you have information regarding an unidentified male, who was found dead in Brookville 24 years ago, contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.

Scooter Seizures

My office continues to seize illegally parked and unregistered motorized scooters in the borough, in partnership with the NYPD and State Police.

A total of 53 scooters were confiscated in Jackson Heights and Jamaica recently during two joint operations with the NYPD and members of the State Police.

The latest operations bring our overall tally to 1,129 scooters seized since the start of the initiative a year ago.

New York Board of Rabbis

I joined the New York Board of Rabbis this week for a Queens Community Network event to speak about the efforts of my office to combat hate crimes across the borough.

Sadly, in the last two years, we have seen an explosion in antisemitism both nationally and locally. Anti-Jewish attacks citywide increased by an alarming 67% from October 7, 2023, to October 7, 2024. Queens experienced a 16% increase in anti-Jewish attacks within that same timeframe, accounting for 49% of all hate crimes reported in the borough.

Those statistics can never become the norm and my office will continue to do everything in our power to combat antisemitism and every instance of hate crime in Queens.

Queens Center for Progress

The Queens Center for Progress recently hosting an Evening of Fine Food to showcase some of Queens top restaurants, with the proceeds benefitting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

I was pleased to attend the event in support of QCP's mission to enhance the quality of life for our community's vulnerable populations.

Ramadan Mubarak!

I am sending warm wishes for a peaceful and blessed Ramadan season to all of our Muslim friends and neighbors.

May this month bring prosperity, joy, and unity.

Ramadan Mubarak!