Muslims ask NJ Gov. to investigate NYPD monitoring

NEWARK, N.J. — A coalition of New Jersey-based Muslim and civil rights groups are asking Gov. Chris Christie to investigate reports of secret surveillance of Muslim communities by the New York Police Department.

Following a series of stories by The Associated Press that detailed the monitoring of Muslims in New York and New Jersey by the NYPD, The Record newspaper reports that 16 New Jersey organizations have signed a letter asking the governor to investigate the extent of the surveillance in New Jersey and whether local police were involved:

Thirty-three civil rights groups from around the country signed a letter earlier this month asking New York's attorney general to investigate the NYPD's surveillance operations.

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has defended the department's tactics.