And Some Defend NYPD Profiling... And Some Still on The Brinks

As noted, Brad Lander spoke out against NYPD Anti-Terrorism profiling practices, and Dov Hikind is on the record demanding such a program. Now, Hikind - with a number of elected officials - reiterated his support of the program, applauding NYPD Commissioner Kelly and the department "for using all means at your disposal to prevent another terrorist attack like 9/11 from occurring." The letter also invites authorities to investigate and profile synagogue if it is needed to secure the city.

Lander seems to be the most outspoken council member of the issue. He is the most quoted person in a NYT article covering a city council hearing critical of the NYPD's surveillance of Muslims. He said: “It looks like we are targeting Muslim neighborhoods and communities... That’s not good for us. We have people out there who are partners who feel the trust is betrayed.”

According to the Times, Lander is ready to take action, tying the NYPD's hand. "Mr. Lander and other council members raised the possibility of requiring an outside review when the police intend to conduct undercover surveillance as part of counterterrorism investigations."

“Without some more independent oversight to figure out what the standards are,” Mr. Lander said, “it’s hard to believe we’re getting the balance between civil liberties and protection right.”

Kelly - the Times reports - maintained he is not racially profiling, but instead “follow leads wherever those leads may take us.”

Mr. Kelly said that a squad called the Demographics Unit — now under the Zone Assessment Unit — mapped not just the city’s Muslim population, but also “a lot of different communities.”

On the other hand, the AP reports that State Senator Kevin Parker, whom Hikind supported for reelection, was one of 7 law makers to ask AG Schneiderman to investigate the matter:

Sen. Kevin Parker, who represents part of Brooklyn and said the borough has one of the largest Muslim populations in the nation, said he was "deeply troubled that the NYPD seeks to criminalize an entire faith tradition." "The message seems to be if you are Muslim, you are guilty until proven innocent," he said. "... We face serious security challenges; unfortunately this approach by the department may not only violate the law but also focuses resources on law-abiding citizens rather than focusing on those who seek to do us harm."

The letter that Hikind co-wrote with Brooklyn's State Senator Marty Golden and Councilman Michael Nelson - with officials of other boroughs - encourages the NYPD "to investigate any church, synagogue, or business, which may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our society." Wondering what he would say if every synagogue would be profiled as aiding and abating his JDL friends... Most Jews would and should be troubled by that.

Meanwhile, David Greenfield, the only Councilman pictured by the Times as he Questioned Kelly, have yet to take an official stand on the issue (i.e. press release). In his twitter messages he seems to be against profiling.

This issue may evolve as the next hot potato political issue, much like the Ground Zero mosque,