Settlement On NYPD Surveillance Of Muslims Doesn't Go Far Enough, Judge Rules

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A federal judge on Monday rejected a settlement over the NYPD's surveillance of Muslim communities, but said it could be approved with some changes.

As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, it is now on the city to agree to tougher terms.

The ruling by U.S. Judge Charles Haight was made public Monday. It was signed Friday in New Haven, Connecticut.

Haight has presided for 40 years over the same case approving the original rules limiting police surveillance. The Handschu decree was put in place in response to surveillance used against war protesters in the 1960s and '70s.

Haight was also the judge who relaxed the rules after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In the settlement announced in January, the department agreed to strengthen safeguards against illegal surveillance of Muslims in terrorism investigations and install a civilian representative on a committee that reviews the investigations under the terms of the settlement.

Haight said that was not enough.

"The judge wanted regular reports from this civilian representative to go directly to the judge," said New York Civil Liberties Union Legal Director Arthur Eisenberg.

As the judge put it, the NYPD has become accustomed to disregarding the court's guidelines in some respects.

A spokesman for the city Law Department said the city is disappointed, but will explore ways to address concerns raised by the judge.

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