Asked about NYPD spying in NJ, ex-chief hangs up


February 22, 2012 at 1:09p.m.

Asked about NYPD spying in NJ, ex-chief hangs up

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A former New Jersey police chief is refusing to comment on his decision to allow the New York Police Department to monitor and catalog his city’s Muslim neighborhoods.

Garry McCarthy was the Newark police chief in 2007, when the plainclothes NYPD officers fanned out across his city, taking pictures of mosques and eavesdropping on conversations in businesses frequented by Muslims. The result was a 60-page report, obtained by The Associated Press, that was a guide to Newark’s Muslims. It never mentioned terrorism or criminal allegations.

Newark’s mayor, Cory Booker, says he never approved the spying and promised to investigate.

McCarthy is now working as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s police superintendent. Reached on his cell phone today, McCarthy said there was nothing to comment on and abruptly hung up.