It seems that New York police have been using nuisance laws to harass immigrant owners of bodegas, laundromats, and other small businesses. They claim the businesses aren't doing enough to prevent criminal activity, aren't doing enough to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors or are guilty of some other inaction. They then threaten to shut the place down unless the owner gives police carte blanche to co-opt their surveillance cameras, search their stores, and spy on their customers. ProPublica and the Daily News reviewed 600 such cases. Among the many disturbing things they found:

"Nine out of 10 nuisance abatement actions were against businesses located in neighborhoods where most of the residents are minorities."

"The police begin nearly every case with a secret application to a judge requesting an order closing the business while the case is being decided, and before the owner has had the opportunity to appear in court. Judges approved the closure requests 70% of the time."