Documents Show NYPD Surveyed L.I. Jewish-Owned Businesses In Anti-Terror Effort
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search for radical terrorists took the NYPD to kosher butchers and candy stores on Long Island.
Friday night, CBS 2 learned Jewish-owned businesses were put under surveillance, along with mosques and businesses that cater to Muslims.
The NYPD is under fire from critics for putting mosques and Muslim facilities under surveillance. On Thursday, Rep. Peter King offered this response: "If you're going after radical Muslims, you don't go to Ben's Kosher Deli."
But what about Great Neck Glat, a kosher meat shop, which proudly flies the flag of Israel inside?
Secret documents obtained by the Associated Press show Great Neck Glat is one of almost a dozen Jewish-owned businesses the NYPD surveyed in Nassau County.
The anti-terror effort was focused there because many in the Great Neck Jewish community trace their roots back to Iran, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.
Locals say they support the NYPD in general, but don't know what to make of the surveillance.
"I hope they are not wasting their time," said one local resident.
"I think we're wasting time by spying on places like kosher butchers and kosher hair salons, basically Great Neck to begin with," said business owner Benny Rafailov.
Congressman King, however, said to trust the NYPD.
"Something that may on the surface not necessarily be connected can make sense to them," King said.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended the program earlier Friday, saying it was not "a political statement or a political football to play with."
The New York Civil Liberties Union says it's clear the police surveillance program has crossed a line.
"The NYPD is just putting people under surveillance by virtue of ethnicity, by virtue of national origin, by virtue of religion, but not by virtue of suspicious behavior or evidence of wrongdoing," said Donna Lieberman of the NYCLU.
The NYPD surveillance also happened in New Jersey. Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker both said it raises serious concerns.
Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly say the surveillance continues.
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