Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.

This has been quiet a summer for Red Hook. The neighborhood has received a lot of attention, mostly from Spike Lee’s new film, Red Hook Summer   which opened to very mixed reviews. The summer for Red Hook has also been mixed, with some highs and lows. But as always, this community pulls together and comes out stronger. Unfortunately, we started the summer with some shootings in the neighborhood related to local gang activity and a string of muggings .  The 76 th precinct, Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the Court all worked together to quickly squash this outburst of violence. Kings County District Attorney also announced the arrest of six drug dealers who have been operating in the Red Hook housing developments through a major drug sweep after a six month investigation . The community came together this week at a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Kings County District Attorney’s Office, NYPD and the Justice Center to discuss how we can improve police community relations

From yesterday's press release from Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes:

Monday was a very special night for eight court-involved Brooklyn teens. As participants in the Young New Yorkers program, these young people were given the opportunity to fulfill their court requirements by participating in a restorative justice arts program. Through a partnership with the Justice Center's Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP)--part of a statewide initiative to divert 16 and 17 year olds from criminal court and connect them to social services while allowing them to avoid the collateral consequences of a criminal record--this group of young people participated in a series of workshops centered around a c urriculum designed to develop the emotional and behavioral skills of the young participants while facilitating responsible and creative self expression.  A participant shares his experience The workshops culminate in the design of a public art installation that gives voice to the otherwise voiceless and voteless adolescents being tried in New York's adult cri