Recent outrage over assaults on young girls at the Staten Island Mall has called out the New York City Police Department for not taking harsher measures against the assailants and for not identifying the attacks as hate crimes. The New York City Police Department responds to and investigates all such cases to identify perpetrators and ensure that they are appropriately sanctioned.

But, Staten Islanders should understand that these were misdemeanor assaults committed by female minors as young as 12, and none older than 15. The assaults on June 21 were unconnected to the assaults on June 26. Two attackers were arrested in each case, and the search continues for a third attacker in the June 21 case. Under the law, the Police Department may not release either the names or photographs of the arrested juvenile attackers. The assailants were treated as juvenile delinquents and were either issued juvenile reports or processed in Family Court, according to what the law allows.

The issue of whether these were racially motivated attacks upon white girls by black girls has been muddled by some widely circulated misinformation. Three of the four arrested girls are Hispanic, not black, as is at least one of the victims. The attack on June 26 seems to have been precipitated by an argument in a possible case of mistaken identity, and not by racial animosity. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force has reviewed both cases and has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support designating either of these attacks hate crimes.

The police cannot designate an offense as a hate crime merely because the attacker and the victim are of different races. We need evidence that the victims were targeted because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. No such evidence exists in these cases.

The idea that the NYPD would not pursue hate crime charges against blacks who attacked whites is without foundation. About half of the people charged with hate crimes in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were black, for attacks on whites, Asians, and the LGBTQ community. There is no double standard in bringing hate crime charges, which are based solely on evidence.

The Patrol Borough of Staten Island and the 121st Precinct are on full alert concerning the Staten Island Mall and working to prevent any further attacks on young girls or any one else.

(Assistant Chief Kenneth E. Corey is the commanding officer of NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island.)