Regional Briefs – April 11, 2016

NJ Transit Cameras Raise Privacy Concerns

TRENTON – More video and audio surveillance systems are being installed on NJ Transit’s light rail trains to fight crime, but they’re raising concerns about passenger privacy, NJ.com reported. All cars with the surveillance systems have signs informing passengers.

Lawsuit Against Christie Over Security Spending Tossed

TRENTON – A lawsuit against Gov. Chris Christie for using taxpayer dollars to pay for his security detail as he ran for president was dismissed Thursday, The Associated Press reported. The plaintiffs accused him of violating his financial responsibilities to the state.

Clinton Ribs de Blasio Over Delayed Support

NEW YORK – Hillary Clinton made an appearance at the annual Inner Circle Show Saturday, teasing Mayor Bill de Blasio for being slow to endorse her. Reporters stage a parody, poking fun at elected officials, followed by the mayor’s rebuttal show. The mayor urged the audience to vote for Clinton, a Democrat.

NYPD Recruits Most Diverse Class in City History

NEW YORK – A new class of police recruits is the most diverse in NYPD history, The Associated Press reported. Of the 99 recruits hired Friday, 26 are women, 23 are African-American and more than 70 percent live in the city. These figures beat all previous records.

Man Arrested for Threatening Obama, Candidates

BUFFALO – A man was charged Friday with threatening to kill President Barack Obama and three presidential candidates, The Associated Press reported. Joseph Goode, 21, told hospital staff he wanted to “see the world burn” and threatened Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

NY Comptroller Stops $25M in Questionable Tax Refunds

ALBANY – The New York comptroller reports stopping $25 million in questionable or fraudulent personal state income tax refunds so far in 2016. Thomas DiNapoli says his office has paid out 4.5 million state refunds totaling $4.2 billion.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the April 12th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.