THE PROSECUTION GAP

The crack cocaine epidemic and attendant gang violence of the late
1980s and early 1990s changed police and prosecution strategies in
Boston. Much of the intelligence, energy, and resources of the Boston
Police and Suffolk County District Attorney's Office shifted to
targeted arrests and prosecution of known gang members who were most
likely to kill for turf and profit.

That emphasis on gangs and drugs left other areas unprotected and
underserved. Among the forgotten, according to a report in yesterday's
Globe, were victims of crimes based on race, religion, ethnic origin,
and sexual orientation. Police investigations of hate crimes have
jumped 57 percent, from 276 in 1993 to 433 in 1999, according to the
article. But the percentage of cases that resulted in criminal charges
has declined, from 21 percent in 1993 to 9 percent last year.

The office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Martin challenges
the comparison drawn between complaints and prosecutions. In some
cases, according to a spokesman, prosecutions were mounted - and
convictions won - but not necessarily on every complaint against that
individual. That, they said, would explain the statistical
discrepancies. But Martin, who needs no reminder to prosecute child
abuse, domestic violence, and other societal scourges, still seems to
need a prod when it comes to hate crimes.

A tough response to bias crimes defined the administration of former
Mayor Raymond Flynn, who sought to heal a city fractured by racially
motivated attacks on minorities. In today's multiracial city, however,
the perpetrator is just as likely to be a member of a racial minority
as white. It takes more knowledge and cultural awareness to
investigate and prosecute hate crimes than it did 15 years ago.
Martin's office must accept that challenge.

The Community Disorders Unit of the Boston Police looks serious about
bringing the cases. ''The CDU reports directly to me,'' says Police
Commissioner Paul Evans. ''I feel it's that important. In this city,
commissioners sink or swim on the race issue.''

Prosecutors must wade in. Left unchecked, hate will widen like a
river.