Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.

   Dave Raasch from the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans (with the Red Hook t-shirt) and Former Chief Justice Robert Yazzie from the Navajo Nation (to Dave's left) conducted a Peacemaking training in Red Hook on Thursday.    Smith & 9th St. on 5/23 BEFORE the Justice Center's Neighborhood Restitution Crew got to work...   Smith & 9th St. on 5/23 (AFTER)  

As anyone who has spent time at the Red Hook Community Justice Center can attest, the community court difference starts with the court officers at the front door.  Time and time again, visitors from around the country and the world describe our officers as some of the most friendly, respectful, helpful, and genuinely compassionate people they have ever encountered.  And while the officers invariably go out of their way to avoid the spotlight, they deserve our acknowledgement, our praise, and our thanks. Last Wednesday, Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes (center) honored Lieutenant Robert Vitucci (second from the right) and Officer Michael Delgado (left) of the Red Hook Community Justice Center with Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards.   The ceremony was held at Brooklyn Law School and  was emceed by Juliet Papa from 1010 WINS radio.  Acknowledging Bobby and Mike's unwa...

After a long hiatus (Hurricane Sandy wiped out our community service headquarters on the lower level of the building), the Justice Center's neighborhood restitution crew was back on the scene last week and making it happen on the streets of Red Hook! US Fried Chicken on Dwight St. (Before)   AFTER!   Vacant Property on Clinton St. (Before)   AFTER!   US Tech Repair on Woodhull St. (Before) AFTER!

This image of Red Hook is one of the many that permanently adorn the halls of the Justice Center -- all of which are the work of three prodigious young people from the neighborhood. Back in July of 2011, we commissioned Lonnell Myers (then-age 15), Edgar Rivera (then-age 15), and Jocleyn Rivera (then-age 16) to capture the depth and vibrance of their community. They spent that summer rendering an evocative series of photographs; their teacher, guide, and mentor was a member of the New York Juvenile Justice Corps, the great Leah Cohen. Leah has since gone on to join the Clinical Department and play a variety of roles at the Justice Center, including parts in the Adolescent Diversion Program , Young New Yorkers , and 14 Shades of Justice , a current collaboration with  Brooklyn Arts Council . Indeed, Leah has made innumerable contributions to this place since her arrival in 2010. But as we prepare to say goodbye (Leah i...

The Red Hook Community Justice Center reopened in record time after Hurricane Sandy  Here's to 13 more amazing years in Red Hook! The staff of the Red Hook Community Justice Center gathered this afternoon for a luncheon in celebration of 13 years of problem-solving justice in southwest Brooklyn, and in honor of the extraordinary efforts of the Office of Court Administration and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to restore and reopen the building after Hurricane Sandy .    We honored Lieutenant Robert "Bobby" Vitucci with the Above & Beyond Award for his exemplary leadership and tireless dedication to the Red Hook Community Justice Center in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  In accepting the award, Lieutenant Vitucci emphasized that the 16+ agencies that inhabit the Justice Center "work together as one family, always."         Presiding Judge, Hon. Ale...