You are reading

Queens District Attorney Launches Hate Crimes Bureau

Photo: Stock Unsplash

June 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has launched a new bureau dedicated to combating hate crimes.

The announcement comes amid a national discussion on systemic racism following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, as well as a recent uptick in biased attacks against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new Hate Crimes Bureau is the first in the nation committed exclusively to preventing, investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, Katz said.

The goal of the new bureau is to educate people in order to combat racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and other hate-inspired bias crimes, according to Katz’ office.

“We are the ‘World’s Borough’ with the most diverse population of any county in the nation,” Katz said in a statement. “Hate-mongers and those who hurt others based on their own prejudices have no place in Queens.”

The specialized bureau will work closely with the District Attorney’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.

“This Bureau takes a multifaceted approach to stopping hate crimes by working collaboratively with others to combat bias, as well as developing meaningful programs to bring about positive change,” Katz said.

Katz has appointed Assistant District Attorney Michael E. Brovner as the Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau. Brovner, a 23-year veteran of the DA Office, previously served as Deputy Bureau Chief in the former Gang Violence and Hate Crimes Bureau.

Brovner has prosecuted hate crimes for more than 20 years and has lectured and trained others on hate crimes prosecution throughout New York State.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Op-Ed | Drowning out the noise — we’re bringing more jobs to every borough, block, and neighborhood

Feb. 4, 2025 By Mayor Eric Adams

Every day, New Yorkers work hard to build a better future for themselves and their families. They want a chance to get ahead, to buy a home, pay for college, and save for retirement. We know that in order to make New York City the best place on the globe to raise a family, we need the best jobs on the globe. And we need to keep money in the pockets of working-class New Yorkers. 

Run through the cold: 4 February races in Queens to help keep your New Year’s resolutions

Feb. 4, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Amid the busy month of February, with Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and even snow days, it can be easy to lose track of your running schedule. During these cold winter months, the urge to stay indoors and avoid the harsh winds is strong. However, having the support of friends, family, and the local community can be the motivation needed to lace up your running shoes and push forward. Stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions and sign up for these races in Queens this month, some of which benefit important causes.

Op-ed | Neighborhood rezoning: A better path for Astoria

Feb. 4, 2025 By Richard Khuzami

In the ever-evolving landscape of New York City, the need for thoughtful urban planning has never been more critical. As we look to the future, it’s clear that neighborhood rezoning offers a more comprehensive and beneficial approach compared to individual rezoning requests for specific projects. Locally, in Community District 1 in Queens, OANA has been advocating for such a rezoning of the general area south of Broadway in Astoria to Dutch Kills.