City Officials Discuss Spate Of S.I. Bias Attacks

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Elected officials and community leaders on Staten Island gathered Monday to discuss the recent wave of alleged bias attacks.

The meeting, organized by City Councilwoman Debi Rose, included members of the New York City Police Department's hate crimes task force and district attorney's office.

The group says it has come up with a plan to catch the assailants and end the pattern of abuse.

Known as "We Are Staten Island," the coalition aims to connect schools, minority groups and community patrols to open up dialogue and combat the mentality that leads to violence.

"We are making sure that everyone on Staten Island knows that we all are Staten Island, that we all represent this community and that we all have a right to be safe in any neighborhood here," Rose said.

"We are here today to resoundingly make it very clear to the criminals who commit these crimes that you are weak. You are the lowest among us and there is no one on this island or in this city that supports you," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Over the past three months, there have been at least five bias attacks on Staten Island, including two last week.

So far, no arrests have been made.

The NYPD also hosted a town meeting in Port Richmond to reach out to community members and help them stay safe.