Updated 07/26/2010 02:22 PM
Police Investigate Possible Bias Attack On Staten Island
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Police on Staten Island are investigating the attack of a Mexican man on Friday as a hate crime.
Sources tell NY1 the 31-year-old was found on Richmond Terrace in Port Richmond around 5 p.m. with bruises on his body.
They say the man was walking home from playing soccer at Faber Park when he was attacked by five men yelling anti-Mexican slurs. The suspects allegedly hit the man several times before making off with his backpack.
He was taken to Richmond University Medical Center where sources say he suffered head trauma, a broken jaw and needed 10 stitches above his eye.
"This has been the most rapid succession of attacks on Latinos I think in the history of our borough," said Terry Troia of the advocacy group Project Hospitality. "They began on April 5th and they have continued. Our count is eight as of what happened on Friday and clearly the Latinos are being targeted."
No arrests have been made in this case.
Friday's attack was similar to another incident earlier this month, when another Mexican man was also attacked near the same park, also by a group of young men.
Port Richmond residents say the neighborhood is turning into a scary place to live.
"During the day it's okay because there are so many people around, but at night, no," said one area resident.
"When you think about it, you get a bit scared, you know, to know that anything can happen at any time," said another.
Day or night, community leaders say residents still need to be cautious of their surroundings until the attacks stop – which they say at this point is going to take a coordinated effort.
"The solutions need to be wide-ranging and over a long period of time, including community education, ongoing building of relationships with our local police, and continued police presence in the community," said Troia.
Suspects in several other bias cases have also yet to be identified.
Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, by texting TIP577 to CRIMES, or by going to NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.