Queens To Host Town Hall On Preventing Gun Violence

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — Local community groups will share strategies on ending gun violence in Queens at a town hall Thursday co-hosted by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

The May 30 forum comes just two days before the start of Gun Violence Awareness Month in June.

Representatives from 696 Build Queensbridge, Fathers Alive In The Hood, King of Kings Foundation, Life Camp Inc., Sheltering Arms' Rock Safe Streets Program and Transitional Services For New York will discuss initiatives that have succeeded in steering young people away from violence.

NYPD officers and experts in public health and education will also be on hand to answer questions.

While crime has dropped throughout Queens in recent decades, shootings have increased in some areas, according to Katz's office. There were 43 reported shootings in Queens through April.

"We cannot cure the epidemic of gun violence solely through policing and locking up those who run afoul of the law," Katz, who is also running for Queens DA, said in a statement. "If we’re serious about ridding our society of the scourge of gun violence everywhere, we must deconstruct the normalization of gun violence."

Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP for the town hall at queensbp.org/rsvp. The town hall is May 30 at 6 p.m. at Queens Borough Hall.