36 Groups Call for Muslim Monitoring Probe in NJ

Thirty-six groups, including some that are faith-based and others that are student-led, have sent a letter asking New Jersey's Attorney General to immediately investigate Muslim monitoring by the New York City Police  Department in Newark and other cities.

The call for an investigation sent Tuesday mirrors similar requests made last week in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and elsewhere. The letter to Attorney General Jeff Chiesa asks New Jersey to investigate the extent to which local police assisted the NYPD and whether the New York department broke any New Jersey laws, such as the Wiretapping Act.

The Associated Press has reported in a series of articles that the NYPD conducted covert surveillance on Muslims in mosques, shopping areas and on Rutgers University campuses.

Chiesa has said he's gathering facts on the NYPD's actions.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)