Kings County 
District Attorney's Office
PRESS RELEASES

Office of Public Information
718.250.2300 / 718.250.2025 (after hours and weekends)
Jerry Schmetterer - Director - Schmetj@brooklynda.org
Sharon Toomer - Deputy Director - Toomers@brooklynda.org
Sabrina Beldner - Communications Associate - BeldnerS@brooklynda.org
Tracy Manley - Communications Associate - ManleyT@brooklynda.org
Orlando Rivera - Communications Associate -RiveraO@brooklynda.org

1999-2000 Press Releases

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES CLOSES INVESTIGATION OF CHRISTMAS EVE SHOOTING 
KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES CALLS FOR CHANGES IN BAIL LEGISLATION STATEMENT RE: Police Officer Joseph Gray case.
BROOKLYN POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN VEHICULAR DEATH OF THREE
Remarks of Deputy District Attorney Joseph Petrosino and Arraignment of Police Officer Gray.  August 10, 2001.
STATEMENT FROM KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES RE: CHARGES VS. P.O. JOSEPH GRAY

ARRAIGNMENT ON BROOKLYN TEEN INDICTED IN HORSE STABLE ARSON
MOTHER AND SON  CONVICTED FOR THE 20 YEAR OLD MURDER OF TODDLER FOUND IN CLOSET
SENTENCED
CREAM TEAM ARTICLE
BROOKLYN WOMAN SENTENCED IN VEHICULAR DEATH OF OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER
CHURCH STATUE DESECRATOR SENTENCED

                "The defendant betrayed the trust of neighborhood children and disgraced himself," District Attorney Hynes said. "His crime warrants the maximum penalty to protect other children from attack." 

                Jose Perez, 50, of 65 Palmetto Street, Bushwick was found guilty of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by $1000 fine or up to one year in jail.   

                The jury of six men and six women deliberated seven hours after a six-day trial in Supreme Court, Kings County before returning the guilty verdict. 

                The jury found that Perez forcefully pushed the little girl into the shed behind his garage.  Once inside the shed he sexually abused her. 

                Based on Perez' record it is clear that he is a sexual predator who preys upon young children. He has two prior sex offense convictions, one of which is a felony. 

     Perez is out on bail pending sentence on June, 14, 2000. Justice Matthew D'Emic is presiding over the case. 

                The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi and Deputy Bureau Chief Peter Guadagnino, Crimes Against Children Bureau.

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                Donald Coley, 42, of 1145 Lenox Road, East Flatbush, was sentenced today in Supreme Court, Kings County to serve a prison term of six to 12 years.  

                "The victim in this case was killed by an illegal handgun," District Attorney Hynes said. "This substantial prison term is just punishment for this terrible crime and does justice to the memory of Selena Slade." 

                Coley was convicted on March 2, 1999, after a one-week

trial of the following charges: Manslaughter in the First Degree; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. 

                The most serious charge, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, is a Class B felony punishable by a maximum prison term of 12 1/2  to 25 years and by additional prison time for a repeat offender. 

                The jury of six men and six women deliberated eight hours over one day and found that Coley on June 7, 1998, caused the death of Selena Slade, 14, by shooting her with a handgun. 

                The incident took place on June 7, 1998, at 1145 Lenox Road, East Flatbush.

                Coley was sentenced by Justice Michael Juviler, who presided over the case. 

                The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Reuland, Trial Bureau I.

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                "The victim in this case was killed by an illegal handgun," District Attorney Hynes said. "I will strongly recommend imposition of the maximum penalty." 

                The jury of *** women and *** men deliberated ****** hours over *** day before returning the guilty verdict late last night in Supreme Court, Kings County following a **one and one-half week trial. 

                The defendant, David Galetti, 46, ******, East Flatbush, was found guilty of the following charges: Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. 

                The most serious charge, Manslaughter in the Second Degree is

a Class C felony punishable by a maximum prison term of seven and one-half to fifteen years.   

                The jury found that Galetti recklessly caused the death of Leutisher Johnson, 52, and injuring three others by spraying gunfire on a Brooklyn street. 

                The jury also found that Galetti recklessly endangered Shavon Sykes, 19, and Donna Miller, 19, who were seated next to the victim at the time of the shooting.              

                The incident took place on May 10, 1976 on 326 Eldert Street, Bushwick. 

   Galetti will be sentenced on *********, by Justice Michael Juviler who is presiding over the case. 

                The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Stanley Irvin, Homicide and Maria Park, Trial Bureau .

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                "This defendant betrayed the loving trust of his stepdaughter and disgraced himself," District Attorney Hynes said. "His actions deserve this severe punishment."  

                Jesus Cardona, 32, of New Jersey, was found guilty of over 1300 counts in the indictment including: Rape in the First Degree; Sodomy in the First Degree; Sexual Abuse in the First Degree; Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.                

                The most serious charges, Rape in the First Degree and Sodomy in the First Degree are Class B felonies punishable by a maximum prison term of 25 years for a second violent felony offender. 

                Cardona was sentenced to a prison term of 40 years on September 23, 1999.

                Cardona has previously been convicted of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in a case related to the abuse of his niece. 

                The guilty verdict was returned June 28, 1999 in Supreme Court, Kings County by Justice Lewis Douglass who presided over a one-week non-jury trial.             

                The incidents occured on and between September 1996 and November 1998.
                Cardona was sentenced by Justice Douglass who presided over the case. 

                The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joanne Grippo, Special Counsel to the Crimes Against Children Bureau.

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                "The victim in this case was an innocent and helpless 3-month-old who was terrorized and brutalized by his father, the defendant," District Attorney Hynes said.  

                At the sentencing, ADA Gail Ostriker described the injuries sustained by the infant as multiple bruises to the forehead, ear, cheek, chin, abdomen and groin, in addition to three fractured ribs and two fractured legs.    

                Kurt Cipriania, 30, of 1024 Montgomery Street, Crown Heights, was found guilty of three counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a class D-violent felony, punishable by a maximum prison term of seven years.  He was also found guilty of one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.               

                Cipriania was sentenced today to a prison term of 2 years by Justice D'Emic who presided over the trial. 

                The guilty verdict was rendered on June 15, 2000 in Supreme Court, Kings County, by Justice Matthew D'Emic who presided over the  non-jury trial.               

                The incident took place in the early morning hours of January 24, 1999, inside the defendant's apartment at 1024 Montgomery Street, Crown Heights. 

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                "This is a sad and tragic case in which a highly regarded rookie police officer's life has been lost," District Attorney Hynes said. "The charges will be prosecuted swiftly and fairly." 

                A 6-count indictment filed today in Supreme Court, Kings

County names Vivian Malloy, 42, of 360 Dumont Avenue. 

                The indictment accuses Malloy of the following charges:  Manslaughter in the Second Degree; Vehicle Manslaughter; Criminally Negligent Homicide; Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol (2 counts) and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by the use of Drugs.  

                The most serious charge, Manslaughter in the Second Degree is a Class C-felony punishable by a maximum prison term of 15 years in jail.  

                The press and the public are advised that this indictment is not evidence of guilt. It is the accusatory instrument by which these criminal proceedings are commenced.               

                The indictment charges that Malloy was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in excess of the speed limit, passed a red signal and struck the car driven by Officer Rosado causing her death. 

                The incident took place on April 9, 2000 at about 2:15 a.m at the intersection of Rockaway and Newport street.   

                  The case is being prosecuted by Bureau Chief Laura Neubauer, Trial Bureau V. 

                A copy of the indictment is available.

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                The jury of six women and six men deliberated four hours over one day before returning the guilty verdict in Supreme Court, Kings County following a three and one-half week trial. 

                The defendants, Michael and Anthony Paccione, of Levitown, Long Island were found guilty of the following charges: Robbery in the First Degree; Robbery in the Second Degree (2 counts); Grand Larceny in the Second Degree; Tampering with Physical Evidence; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree; Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree. 

                The most serious charge, Robbery in the First Degree is

a Class B felony punishable by a maximum prison term of twelve and one-half to twenty five years.   

                The jury found that on December 15, 1996 at about 9:15 p.m, the Paccione brothers entered Costco Superstore through the service entrance posing as electrical foremen.  They went to the manager's office and at gunpoint ordered the manager and vault clerk to the floor, bound them with duct tape and plastic ties and emptied the safe of more than  $165,000.  They then fled the store through the 2nd Avenue side. 

                Anthony and Michael Paccione will be sentenced on July 6, 2000, by Justice Cheryl Chambers who is presiding over the case. 

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                Today, David Trumpet, 15, 58 East 58th Stret, was found guilty of the following charges: 

                The most serious charge, Robbery in the First Degree is a Class B-felony punishable by a maximum prison term of. 

                "The victim in this case," District Attorney Hynes said. "This crime warrants the maximum punishment." 

                The jury of  men and   women deliberated  hours over  days after a trial in Supreme Court, Kings County before returning the guilty verdict.               

                The jury found that Trumpet  

                The incident occurred on May 1, 1999 at approximately 6:30 p.m inside of Trumpet's home. 

                Trumpet will be sentenced on,by Justice Starkey     who is presiding over the case.

                The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Paul Gliata ,Trial Bureau I.

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                Turn it in for a Benjamin, funded by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, is expected to surpass the successful cash for guns initiative in November, 1991. That joint operation collected 702 guns in a four week period in Brooklyn.  

                ""Even though homicides are down in Brooklyn, the percentage of homicides by guns has increased since last year, “said Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes. "In order to reduce the number of homicides by gun we continue, in our joint efforts with the NYPD, to focus our efforts towards, once again, reducing the number of guns in Brooklyn. Our success with the Cash for Guns program in 1999 shows that it can help reduce the number of murders in our borough," Hynes continued. "We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again."               

                It is really very simple - turn in your gun and receive $100," said Police Commissioner Howard Safir. "It does not get any easier than that and it will help make Brooklyn a safer place for all of us. This is the time for people to get rid of any guns that they might have at home, but did not know how to dispose of them or were afraid to bring them to the police. I hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to get rid of dangerous guns, and get a bonus for them." 

                Starting today, anyone can turn in a working handgun, sawed-off shotgun or assault weapon into any Brooklyn Precinct, Police Service Area, or Transit District, 24 hours a day. Until July 31^st, there will be no questions asked nor will the anyone be required to identify themselves. People turning in a weapon will be required to wrap it in brown paper and secure it with tape or string. Under this amnesty program, anyone surrendering a gun at a Brooklyn police facility will not be arrested for possession of a weapon. 

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              November 15, 2000..... Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced today the filing of a criminal complaint accusing a Brooklyn man of murder in the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend, their infant daughter and her 2-year-old son. 

                A Criminal Complaint filed today  in Criminal Court, Kings County names Zabdiel Yara, 21, of 164 Atkins Avenue, East New York.

                Yara is accused of the following charges: Murder in the First Degree; Murder in the Second Degree (six counts); Arson in the Third Degree. 

                The most serious charge, Murder in the First Degree, is a  Class A1 felony punishable by a maximum prison term of possible death penalty or life imprisonment.

                 The press and public are advised that this criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. It is the accusatory instrument by which these criminal proceedings are commenced. 

                The criminal complaint charges that Yara stabbed and slashed the throats of Erica Alvarez, 19, and her two children Damaurys ,2, and Yafresys, 7 months.  He then bound and torched their bodies.   

                The criminal complaint alleges that the incident took place at 164 Atkins Avenue, East New York on January 13, 2000.               

                 Zaya was arraigned in Criminal Court, Kings County before Judge Joseph McKay, who ordered him to be remanded and a set a return date of December 14, 2000.  

                The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tim Gough and  Mitch Benson, Bureau Chief of Homicide Bureau. 

     A copy of the criminal complaint is available.

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One year ago in July 1999 when there had been 27% increase in homicides during the first six months of 1999 compared to 1998, I directed a group of senior prosecutors in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office to examine the reasons why there had been a surge of homicides in Brooklyn.

These attorneys, who have worked on homicide, domestic violence, and gang-related cases for ten years or more, joined with a number of professors from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and members of the New York City Police Department in order to examine the facts and circumstances of Brooklyn murders. 

My goal was twofold: to determine whether there was a pattern or other explanation for the increase in fatal violence and to develop strategies and programs to reduce the number of murders. 

In the early part of this year, I released a comprehensive report, entitled “An Analysis of Brooklyn Homicides in 1999: Strategies for Saving Lives.”  While this report found that there was no single reason for the increase of homicides in 1999, which leveled off to a 12.2% increase by the end of the year, two major themes emerged -- a disproportionate number of young men were involved in homicides both as victims and defendants and too many guns were available to those who engaged in murderous acts.

This update of the 1999 report is our continuing attempt to understand the nature and causes of homicides, to evaluate steps taken to reduce the number of homicides in Brooklyn, and to suggest additional measures that will lower the homicide rate in Brooklyn.

Once again, I want to thank Gerald W. Lynch, President of  John Jay College of Criminal Justice, for his cooperation in making available a number of professors, expert in the field of law enforcement, to work with staff in conducting this analysis.

The New York City Police Department, which has collected vast amounts of information about criminal activity through their innovative COMSTAT program, has generously provided relevant data, which has been incorporated into this report.  For that, I sincerely thank New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir.

Charles J. Hynes
District Attorney, Kings County

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

1/ THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN BROOKLYN HOMICIDES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR 2000.

Homicides in Brooklyn during the first six months of this year have decreased by almost 14%, from 145 in 1999 to 126 (Figure 1, attached).

2/ GUNS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BROOKLYN HOMICIDES.

This year guns were used to commit 90 of the 126 murders, which represents 71.4% of all Brooklyn homicides.  Last year, there were three more gun homicides at mid-year, but the percentage of gun homicides at that time was only 64%.

3/ HOMICIDE DEFENDANTS AND VICTIMS ARE MOSTLY YOUNG MEN.

Fifty-six percent of the 62 known homicide defendants were 21 or younger at the time they are alleged to have committed murder; one third were teenagers (Figure 2, attached).  More than 96% of the defendants are males; only two women have been charged with murder this year.  Twenty-five percent of the homicide victims were below 20 years of age and 33% were between the ages of 21 and 30.  Almost 82% percent of the murder victims were males.

4/ MOST HOMICIDE DEFENDANTS ARE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDER-EDUCATED.

Two thirds of the homicide defendants are unemployed and almost 55% did not complete high school.

5/ MOST HOMICIDE DEFENDANTS ARE NEITHER ON PAROLE OR PROBATION.

Only 5 of the 62 homicide defendants were on probation at the time they were accused of committing murder and only three were on parole, representing approximately 13% of all homicide defendants.

6/ DISPUTES BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ARE THE CAUSE OF MOST MURDERS.

Disputes between individuals account for the largest percentage of murders, 34.9%.  Murders committed during other felonious crimes, such as robberies and burglaries, the next largest percentage account for 14.3%.  The reasons for almost 22% of the homicides are unknown at this time (Figure 3, attached).

7/ GANG RELATED OR DRUG RELATED HOMICIDES REPRESENT ONLY A SMALL PERCENT OF BROOKLYN HOMICIDES.

Only 2.4% of this years homicides have been traced to gang violence; 8.7% of the homicides are drug related. 

8/ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDES HAVE DECLINED.

Only 11, or 8.7% of the total number of homicides this year, grew out of domestic violence incidents.  At mid-year in 1999, there were a total of 17 domestic violence homicides.
GUN HOMICIDES

The percentage of Brooklyn’s gun homicides, approximately 72%, this year represents a significant increase over 1999’s mid-year’s percentage of 64%.  But this percentage increase should be viewed in the context that the total number of homicides by gun this year to date (90) is three less than the number (93) at mid-year in 1999.

Last year a number of law enforcement strategies to reduce the numbers of guns in Brooklyn were implemented at mid-year to reduce the number of guns available for use and gun homicides.  One such strategy implemented by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department in mid-June of 1999 -- a cash-for-guns amnesty program, called “Turn It In For A Benjamin,” resulted in the voluntary surrender to police of 659 working handguns, sawed-off shotguns and assault weapons.

The second phase of this anti-gun initiative was implemented immediately after the gun-surrender amnesty period ended.  During this phase, which is still in operation, anyone in Kings County caught with an illegal weapon is indicted.  High bail is requested at arraignment.  There is no plea bargaining.  Defendants must plead guilty to the top count of the indictment.  A significant term of incarceration is recommended for all convicted defendants. 

From the start of the program on July 12, 1999 through June 14, 2000, 386 defendants have been indicted, an increase of 75% over a comparable period prior to the start of the program, when 220 individuals were indicted.  Of these 386 indictments, 184 cases have been resolved by plea or trial and in 116 of these resolved cases the defendants have been sentenced. 

The 21 cases which have been tried represents an 83% increase in the number of trials when compared to a comparable period before the start of the anti-gun initiative.  All 21 trials have resulted in convictions.  Sentences have yet to be imposed in 14 of the 21 trial convictions; sentences have been imposed in the other seven trial convictions -- three defendants were sentenced to jail or prison plus probation, two defendants were sentenced to programs and probation, one to straight probation and one to a conditional discharge.  In each of these convictions the People’s recommendation for sentence was a minimum of six months plus four and a half years probation; in four of the seven cases the People’s recommendation was one year or more.

Fifty-seven cases have been resolved by plea to the top count and the imposition of a significant sentence of incarceration acceptable to the District Attorney’s Office.  In these cases, 91% of the defendants were sentenced to jail or prison plus probation; 66% received sentences of four months or more plus probation; more than 40% were sentenced to a year or more in prison.  For those receiving jail sentences of four months or less, the People agreed to those sentences because of the fact that the defendant was young and/or this was the defendant’s first significant contact with the criminal justice system.  In such cases a reduced sentence is warranted and probation supervision insures a monitoring of their activities upon release. 

In 52 other cases the defendant pled guilty to the indictment and received a sentence over the People’s objection.  In these cases, only 51% of the defendants were sentenced to jail or prison plus probation; 27% received sentences of four months or more plus probation; 19% were sentenced to a year or more in prison.  The disparity in sentences in cases where there were pleas over the People’s objection and those cases where the People approved of the sentences points to the need for the People to have the option to appeal judicial sentences.  While this right exists in the federal forum, it does not exist in New York State.  In the area of gun crimes, the right to appeal sentences would enable prosecutors to extract more significant sentences of incarceration.

From the initiation of this anti-gun initiative in mid-July of 1999, the number of homicides[1] decreased significantly for the remainder of the year.  There were 15 fewer homicides during this five month period in 1999 than there had been in 1998. 

The number of murders caused by gun[2] from the inception of the gun-buy back program to the end of the year also fell.  There were 5 fewer murders by gun during the six-month period following the implementation of the anti-gun strategies compared to the previous year (Figure 4, attached).

Another strategy that the District Attorney’s Office has developed to reduce gun violence is a cooperative effort with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to bring more gun cases in federal court.   The benefits of federal prosecution are the speed with which the cases can be brought to trial, the evidentiary rules and the enhanced federal penalties.   To date, 26 gun cases have been referred to the Eastern District for prosecution.

While it is clear that the anti-gun strategies begun last year have had some impact on both the murder rate and the rate of homicide by gun more has to be done.  Consequently, with the cooperation of the New York City Police Department, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office has re-instituted the gun-buy back program, effective July 1st until August 1, 2000.   This “cash for guns” provides a $100 reward to anyone who surrenders a working handgun, sawed-off shotgun or assault weapon.  No questions will be asked by police, who are prepared to receive the guns anytime, day or night, at any police precinct, police service area or transit district in Brooklyn.

The goal of the program is to take guns out of the hands of those who may use them violently and reduce opportunities for a friends, acquaintances and neighbors, who lose their tempers during a dispute, to resolve arguments with guns.  In addition, the program may decrease opportunities for children, who find a gun in their homes, to accidentally hurt or kill themselves or a family member. 

SHOOTING INCIDENTS AND GUN ARRESTS

There has been a 5.9% increase in shooting incidents[3] in Brooklyn during the first six months of 2000.  Given that there has also been an increase in the percentage of gun homicides during the same period, this is a cause for concern.  While many precincts[4] within the borough have seen significant decreases in the number of shootings this year, in other precincts[5] there has been a significant increase.

In those neighborhoods where there has been an increase in the number of shooting incidents it is essential that both investigative and prosecutorial resources be maximized to take the guns out of the hands of those who would use them illegally.  During the next half-year, special efforts will be made to develop gun trafficking cases in those areas.  In addition, special attention will be paid to all arrests made for gun possession in those areas.   The total number of gun arrests made in Brooklyn during the first half of the year 2000 are down by 15.  This 2.6% decrease does not appear to be significant.  However, as part of the gun buy-back program, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department, in conjunction with Crime Stoppers -- sponsored by the New York City Police Department -- has distributed over 50,000 pieces of literature detailing the Gunbusters Anonymous program.  This program offers rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests involving illegal guns.  Those neighborhoods where there has been an increase in shootings will be saturated with additional copies of this literature.

In addition, in order to enlist the support of the community in the District Attorney’s anti-gun initiatives, fliers advertising the gun buy-back program and the tough prosecution policy for gun possession cases have been distributed at more than 70 churches (and mailed to almost 400 other places of worship) and at street fairs, shopping centers and other places where Brooklynites gather. 

HOMICIDES AND YOUNG MEN

The fact that a large percentage of Brooklyn homicide victims and defendants are young men should come as no surprise.  Nationally, 18 to 24 year olds rank highest in rates of murders per 100,000 as both homicide victims and homicide offenders. 

Since young men seem to be at greater risk for violence and homicides than any other segment of the population, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office initiated a program in late October 1999 modeled on the nationally recognized “Boston Plan,” which reduced firearm homicides among those 24 years of age and under by 64% in 1996-97, and prevented any juvenile from being killed with a firearm during an eighteen month period from July 1995 through 1996. 

The new strategy, called COM ALERT (Community And Law Enforcement Resources, Together) uses prevention, intervention and enforcement strategies to reduce violence.  It has been implemented in two Brooklyn neighborhoods which have been identified as emerging centers of violence through analysis of law enforcement data, community complaints and concerns, and other sources. 

This program is a cooperative effort among members of the community concerned with youth violence and a multitude of law enforcement agencies, including: the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the Mayor’s Criminal Justice Coordinator, the New York City Corporation Counsel, the New York City Police Department, the Department of Correction, the Department of Probation, the New York City Housing Authority and the New York State Division of Parole. 

Community participation includes city, state and federal, elected representatives, members of community boards and precinct councils, religious leaders, community-based not-for profit organizations, school and parent groups and others active in their neighborhoods.

A critical component of the program is the development of increased opportunities for educational, career training, jobs and recreational services for those who want to walk away from a life of violence on the streets. 

COM ALERT is currently operating in two Brooklyn neighborhoods encompassing three precincts (the 81, 77 and 67).  Since the start of the program in the designated area of the 81/77 precincts on October 26, 1999 through May 31, 2000, there has been a 42% reduction in assaults and shooting incidents have been reduced by 75% compared to the seven month period before COM Alert.  There have been similar positive results in the 67 precinct.

As a result of the two “knock-it-off” meetings in the two neighborhoods selected for COM ALERT, more than 290 individuals have requested services that include drug rehabilitation, job training and placement and educational services. 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDES

The number of domestic violence homicides have decreased significantly in the year 2000 compared to 1999.  This year to date there have been 11 domestic violence homicides; last year at this time there were 17.

During 1999 when the number of domestic violence murders began to climb, efforts to expand the programs created by District Attorney Hynes to protect victims of domestic violence were increased.  By expanding programs such as the AWARE (Abused Women’s Active Response Emergency) program, which provides victims of domestic violence with electronic pendants that will immediately alert the police of impending danger, serious assaults against participants in the program were reduced because the abusers know that the participants can quickly summon the police.  Approximately 63 domestic violence victims now possess AWARE pendants, a 15% increase over last year.

Cell phones, donated by Bell Atlantic, AT&T Wireless and private citizens, also provided victims of domestic violence with a means to make immediate, emergency 911 calls if they are threatened.  Currently 245 cell phones have been distributed and thanks to generous donations -- approximately 140 during the first six months of this year -- from private citizens the Kings County district Attorney’s Office has more to distribute.

A new program called Juris Monitor, developed in cooperation with the Department of Probation, the Mayor’s Office and a private corporation, required defendants on probation to wear ankle bracelets which set off an alarm if the defendant gets too close to the residence of the victim.

CONCLUSION

The significant reduction in the number of homicides in Brooklyn this year to date is encouraging.  A great deal of work by police, prosecutors, and the community appear to have resulted in a safer Brooklyn.  But it is clear that our work is not complete.

The number of guns available for use in violent acts must be reduced.  Something must be done to change the lives of the unemployed, under-educated young men who are largely responsible for the use of guns to commit murder.

Law enforcement solutions, alone, are not the solution.  But cooperative programs by law enforcement, social service agencies and the community, such as COM ALERT, seem to provide hope for the future.  It remains to be seen if, by the end of this year, these programs can be credited with a continuing reduction in homicides.   District Attorney Hynes is confident that they will.