A new Quinnipiac University poll finds that a large majority of New Yorkers don’t mind the NYPD’s monitoring of local Muslims despite extensive reports questioning the civil liberties implications of their methods. Only 24 percent of local voters say the police have “unfairly targeted Muslims,” while 60 percent say the NYPD has acted “appropriately.” Voters believe the NYPD has effectively fought terrorism by a count of 77-16 percent. And neither his appearance in an anti-Muslim film nor the since-dismissed rape allegations against his son (not to mention various other NYPD issues) could really dent the popularity of Commissioner Ray Kelly, whose approval rating is 62 percent, including support from 73 percent of white voters, 57 percent of Hispanic voters, and 52 percent of black voters. One might even call him Teflon.
