With the recent wave of bias attacks against Mexican immigrants on Staten Island, business owners in the borough gathered Thursday night to discuss the fear and tension they say is affecting their bottom lines.

Local merchants and community members met with elected officials in Port Richmond to discuss ways they can help one another.

Business owners say they appreciate the larger than usual police presence in the area, but they say it might be a little too much.

"Because of these events that are going on the businesses feel like there's a lot of negative publicity for the community, so it makes it more tough on top of an already tough economic situation," said Michelle Sledge of the Northfield Community Local Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, the local merchants association says it will take steps to insure businesses and customers are safe.

"The merchants are going to cooperate. We're going to have a good plan. We're going in the right direction and we're moving forward which is important for businesses. And the Port Richmond Trade Council, which is the voice of the Port Richmond businessmen, we're going to make it happen. We're going to make Port Richmond safe," said Merchant Association President Dennis Alestra.

"There's some good government response to our problem now. A strong police presence -- maybe a little too strong, so we can tone down a little on that. But at least the government is aware that these things need to be done and we can work together," said Port Richmond merchant Michael Accornero.

The New York City Police Department also spoke about putting more surveillance cameras in the neighborhood, and the possibility of business owners getting their own cameras.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who helped organize Thursday night's meeting, presented a fundraising plan to help merchants who currently can't afford the equipment.

"What this would be is creating philanthropic funds that stores could use to buy surveillance cameras in their stores and outside of their stores. To be part of it they would have to agree to let the NYPD, whenever necessary, to use those tapes," Quinn said.

The police department recently formed a working group with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to combat the bias crimes.

There have been 10 bias attacks on Staten Island since April.

Anyone with information about the cases are being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, by texting TIP577 to CRIMES, or by going to NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.