NJ Officials Decline Comment on NYPD Criticism

State and Newark officials won't comment on criticism from New York City's police commissioner, who says they were wrong to question his department's 2007 program to keep tabs on Muslims in New Jersey.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio wouldn't respond to Raymond Kelly's comments on Monday, citing his previous statements that his department was unaware of the NYPD surveillance and would never have allowed it.

Kelly criticized Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Robert Menendez and Newark Mayor Cory Booker for questioning the NYPD's tactics in conducting surveillance on Muslims in Newark and elsewhere.

Booker declined to respond Monday to Kelly's criticism, and Menendez didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

A Christie spokesman says the governor had nothing new to add to his previous comment calling the NYPD actions "disturbing."