QDAO - Attorney

As Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz brings a steady, community-centered approach to the office. A lifelong resident of the Borough, DA Katz has seen the many changes that have taken place as we’ve become a more cosmopolitan and diverse community, while still retaining the family-oriented values that have always defined us. Working with our communities to manage these new challenges, DA Katz knows that strong local engagement brings innovative ideas and creates a partnership that produces real results.

Being brave means setting a bold course, not being afraid to take action, and to make positive changes. Being brave is not always easy; bravery is showing up, step by step, thoughtfully moving toward fairness, equity, and safety.

Combatting Gang Activity, Gun Violence and Drug Trafficking

The District Attorney is committed to ridding our neighborhoods of violent gangs, gun runners and drug traffickers.  The newly created Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau merges the Office’s former Narcotics Investigations and Gang Violence Bureaus and works diligently to dismantle criminal organizations operating in Queens County. They identify and prosecute drivers of violence engaged in organized criminal behavior, including members of violent street gangs, narcotics distribution operations and firearms dealers.

This reconfigured bureau uses every resource available to ensure criminal networks, gang activity and other organized operations run by drivers of crime are dismantled and that the drugs and weapons they peddle are taken off our streets. A number of significant cases have already been developed.

At the same time, the Office works with members of the community to try to make Queens a safer place, and to focus resources on helping our youth find meaningful outlets for their energy and hopeful opportunities for their futures.   Our Community Partnership Division works closely with Queens’ communities to focus on identifying and addressing community crime concerns. The division’s staff provides comprehensive, targeted community outreach as well as coordination and implementation of a variety of programs including gun buy-backs initiatives, with the goal of addressing the pervasive problem of gun violence in Queens’ communities.  The Community Partnerships Division helps bridge the gap between prosecution of crime and community-based intervention in order to ensure the safety of all Queens residents.   While we focus on the drivers of violence, at the same time, we actively work with community leaders, faith-based leaders, cure violence groups, and youth programs to prioritize mentorship, education and work-based opportunities for our county's young people.