Hate-motivated incidents of violence are especially pernicious. The perpetrators of these terrible acts strike not just at individuals or locations, or even at the specific groups they target with their scornful acts. The danger of hate crimes is that they endanger the connective ties that bind us together.

We have recently seen unacceptable incidents of violence and defacement of property targeting Jewish people. I thank the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force for thoroughly investigating these incidents in Queens. Two individuals, including a 16-year-old who is accused of yelling antisemitic slurs and participating in the attack of a 48-year-old man out for a walk in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, now face accountability in the court for these shocking affronts.

The Anti-Defamation League just released a report showing a 36 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the country last year. The increase of hate-motivated crimes is a trend we must confront. Simply put, Queens will not allow divisiveness, ignorance or fear to prevail.

More than 49 percent of Queens residents were born outside of the United States and dozens of languages, faiths and heritages flourish among us. Overwhelmingly, most people who live here understand that our diversity makes this community one of the most unique places in the world where people from every walk of life choose to live, work, raise families and experience the richness of life together.

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

In Friendship,

If you have information about the death of Leah Tagliaferri, let authorities know. It is never too late for justice.

Every woman who breaks through the glass ceiling to take a position of leadership -- in public service, religion, philanthropy and the private sector -- ensures that our future will be a measure more inclusive. I joined program host Executive Assistant District Attorney Colleen Babb (right) and invocation leader Pastor Theresa Dudley-Gaskin of Eternal Love Baptist Church (left) to honor such leaders including the Reverend Dr. Margaret Elaine Flake of Greater Allen AME Chapel, Executive Director Rosemary Lopez of the AIDS Center of Queens County, and Executive Director Laura Cohen of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center. The inspiring evening program, co-sponsored with Borough President Donovan Richards, included a keynote address from Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson recently hosted the annual Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrating women in Far Rockaway and South Ozone Park who are making a difference in leadership, entrepreneurship, public service and mentoring. I appreciated him acknowledging the outreach efforts of my office, especially the Crime Victim Advocates Program that last year secured hundreds of Emergency Transfer Assistance/NYCHA Section 8 vouchers for individuals in distress.

WERULE, which aims to empower female entrepreneurs, held a "Fireside Chat" in Kew Gardens to create a diverse network of professional women and spark opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

I joined Bangladesh Consul General Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam and Rita Cosby of WABC Radio in Long Island City for a celebration of the 52nd anniversary of Bangladesh's national independence.

I joined Council Member Bob Holden and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 in Elmhurst Park for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. This gathering place is an important memorial to the sacrifices Queens men and women made during this difficult time. Through a collaborative effort with the Veterans Administration, the Office of Court Administration, the defense bar and cooperating service providers, my office has created a Treatment Court program to directly address the challenges veterans face in the justice system and expand the benefits and services available to them.