Federal Court Restricts NYC Police Surveillance
In a rebuke of a surveillance practice greatly expanded by the New York Police Department after the Sept. 11 attacks, a federal judge ruled yesterday that the police must stop the routine videotaping of people at public gatherings unless there was an indication that unlawful activity may occur. Four years ago, at the request of the city, the same judge, Charles S. Haight Jr., gave the police greater authority to investigate political, social and religious groups.
Judge Restricts New York Police Surveillance, New York Times, February 16, 2007.