Newark mayor seeks probe of NYPD Muslim spying

By Samantha Henry

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Feb. 23 2012 12:35 a.m. MST

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses local residents and politicians during a town hall meeting at Palisades Park High School in Palisades Park, N.J.,Wednesday, Feb, 22, 2012, one day after introducing his budget. Christie is calling a report of a police surveillance operation targeting Muslims in Newark "disturbing." He also says he doesn't recall ever being briefed about the spying in 2007 while he was the state's top federal prosecutor.

The Record of Bergen County, Tyson Trish, Associated Press

Summary

The mayor of New Jersey's largest city has called for state authorities to investigate a widespread spying operation conducted in Newark's Muslim neighborhoods by the New York Police Department.

NEWARK, N.J. — The mayor of New Jersey's largest city has called for state authorities to investigate a widespread spying operation conducted in Newark's Muslim neighborhoods by the New York Police Department.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker says the spying is "deeply offensive." Gov. Chris Christie calls the surveillance "disturbing" and says Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa is looking into the reports.

In mid-2007, the NYPD's Demographics Unit photographed Newark mosques and eavesdropped in Muslim businesses. The findings were cataloged in a 60-page report, obtained by The Associated Press. There was no mention of terrorism or any criminal wrongdoing by Newark Muslims.

Booker and law enforcement officials say they were misled by the NYPD, which they say asked a limited number of questions but didn't hint at the depth or breadth of the planned investigation.

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