NJ FBI Says NYPD Monitoring Damaged Muslim’s Trust

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s top FBI official is continuing an effort to repair relationships with the state’s Muslim leaders he says have been damaged by revelations of surveillance operations by the New York Police Department.

Michael Ward, the agent in charge of the FBI’s Newark division, is planning to meet with worshippers at a Paterson mosque Thursday that was identified as a target of NYPD surveillance in documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Ward said Wednesday that revelations of the NYPD’s monitoring of Muslims in New Jersey has damaged the good relationships law enforcement officials had worked hard to build in the community since 9/11.

NYPD officials continue to be unapologetic and insist their actions in New Jersey were legal.

Muslim leaders are also planning a news conference Thursday in New Jersey.