PERSON OF THE YEAR
Schneps Media is proud to recognize borough son District Attorney Eric Gonzalez as Brooklyn’s Person of the Year, following his fi rst 12 offi cial months
in the offi ce that voters elected him to in 2017. Gonzalez, however, began putting his own stamp on the borough’s criminal-justice system years before, as
a prosecutor with the offi ce he now runs and then as its acting district attorney, a position he assumed in 2016 upon his predecessor’s sudden death while
in offi ce. But his efforts to make Kings County a more equitable place picked up even more steam last year, with the roll out of several bureaus, programs,
and policies that ultimately resulted in a 58-percent drop in jail admissions since April of 2018. Read on for our exclusive chat with Gonzalez, who told
us about his rise, his recent successes, and how he plans to continue and expand his self-proclaimed progressive policies in the months ahead:
COURIER LIFE, J M B G AN. 18–24, 2019 41
Schneps Media: Your rise to
district attorney followed the sudden
death of your predecessor Ken
Thompson. Tell us how that moment
changed your career, and led
you to your current offi ce.
Eric Gonzalez: I have been a prosecutor
in Brooklyn for more than 20
years, and never in my wildest dreams
did I expect to become the district attorney.
My dream was simple and
straightforward: to become a prosecutor
in Brooklyn. Having grown up in
tough neighborhoods including Bushwick
and East New York, I experienced
the need for public safety, but also the
sense of distrust between law enforcement
and the community. And I felt it
was crucial for those who come from
these over-policed and under-represented
neighborhoods to have a seat
at the table where decisions are being
made.
So, after becoming the fi rst in my
family to attend college, I fulfi lled my
dream by fi nishing law school and getting
hired as an assistant district attorney
in my home borough. I worked
hard and was gradually able to have
more impact on policy and decision.
Over the years, I was promoted to leadership
positions and moved up the
ranks to become a bureau chief and,
later on, chief assistant to District Attorney
Thompson.
And when he unexpectedly and
tragically passed away in October
2016, I knew that the progress we were
making needed to continue, and that
was what motivated me to run for his
seat. I was never involved in politics
before, and becoming the face of the
agency was a new experience, as were
all the other aspects of running for
public offi ce. It wasn’t something I’d
planned, but I was heartened by the
warm reception that I received from
people across the borough. I am proud
of the achievements we have already
made, and confi dent that we can accomplish
many more reforms that will
keep Brooklyn safe — and strengthen
community trust in the criminal justice
system by ensuring fairness and
equality for all.
PUTTING
THE LAST
FIRST
District Attorney Eric Gonzalez
talks to us about his ongoing
efforts to make Brooklyn a fairer
place for all of its residents
Continued on page 42