Katz to Outline Measures To Confront Uptick In Gun Violence
Queens Borough President and District Attorney candidate Melinda Katz today will join clergy and other concerned residents to discuss plans to reduce gun violence
Katz will address the issue as borough shootings are up 8.6 percent since 2018.
Katz will call for the expansion of efforts to address gun violence as a public health crisis. Her plan will be built on partnerships with community organizations including Cure Violence groups and will look to implement job trainings, mentorship programs, drug treatment programs, mental health services, re-entry programs, and extra-curricular and after school programs.
Under Katz’s leadership, the Queens District Attorney’s Office will partner with civic organizations, faith-based groups, and community leaders in all borough communities facing gun violence.
The program also will include vigorous prosecutions of gun traffickers, a 24/7 gun buyback initiative and increased use of the state’s new Red Flag law to take guns away from individuals deemed a threat to themselves and others.
Katz will unveil her plan at 1 p.m., today, Oct 22 at the Greater Springfield Community Church, 177-06 129th Avenue in Jamaica.
Grodenchik Celebrates Grand Opening for New Playground
City Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik (D-Bayside, Queens, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck Oakland Gardens and Queens Village and local officials, students and families yesterday celebrated the grand opening of a new $1.5 million, student-designed playground at P.S. 221Q in Little Neck.
The new playground includes trees, a turf field, two running tracks, play equipment, game tables, and green infrastructure elements. It will be used by students during school hours and will then be open to the community until dusk on weekdays.
Grodenchik, Queens Borough President Katz, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Trust for Public Land helped secure the necessary funding, and the School Construction Authority provided support.
“When I first visited PS 221Q, the principal showed me the schoolyard, which was nothing but a sheet of asphalt. I told her there and then that the school should have a real playground and that I would work to make it happen,” said Grodenchik. “I am so pleased that a beautiful new playground has opened here at PS 221Q. The children of Eastern Queens deserve only the best, and that is exactly what this facility provides.”
Dromm Presents Proclamation To Author
City Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) today will present author Dr. Hollins with a City Council Proclamation in recognition of her achievements and advocacy on behalf of children with incarcerated parents as part of the Osborne Association’s See Us, Support Us month, a national campaign to raise awareness about and increase support for children with incarcerated parents.
Hollins is the author of Anna’s Test, a children’s book about a young girl whose father is incarcerated. Aiming to decrease the secrecy and stigma that is attached to parental incarceration and to highlight the goodness of these families, Anna’s Test focuses on positive family dynamics despite obstacles.
Dromm will Hollins with the proclamation as part of an event slated for 5:30 p.m., today, Oct. 22 at the Queens Public Library, 35-51 81st Street in Jackson Heights.
Constantinides to Deliver Plan On Queens’ Public Infrastructure
City Council Member and Queens Borough President candidate Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, parts of Long Island City, Woodside) today will release his plan to address the inaccessibility in Queens’ public spaces.
Constantinides’ plan will require fairer accessibility standards for capital projects, advocate for ADA-compliant MTA renovations, and recalibrating staff priorities within the Borough President’s Office.
The announcement is slated for 10 a.m., today, Oct. 22 at the Hunters Point Library, 47-07 Center Boulevard in Long Island City.
