lightrailsign

A sign on a Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train, photographed this week, tells riders they are under video and audio surveillance. (Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Passengers on NJ Transit's light rail trains are being recorded, not just with video, but audio, too,

yesterday.

NJ Transit says that the use of audio helps fight crime and maintain security.

Spokesman Jim Smith also said that it is "a deterrent for crime and unruly behavior."

"The video and audio captured ... is utilized by the New Jersey Transit Police Department and is an indispensable investigatory tool for them," Smith said.

The River Line already has video and audio surveillance, while the technology is being installed on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line.

However, a sign photographed this past week on a Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train tells riders that they are under video and audio surveillance.

Commuters don't usually have a problem with video surveillance, said Len Resto, New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers president.

"People take it in stride," Resto said of video recording. "The audio recording, people have a real problem with."

"Our laws say you have a right to a private conversation," said Ed Barocas, legal director of the state American Civil Liberties Union.

PATH trains have on-board cameras, but NJ Transit commuter rail trains do not have any surveillance devices.

Do you think there she be audio recording on light rail trains?

The Jersey Journal photos of the week: March 26-April 1, 2016 20 Gallery: The Jersey Journal photos of the week: March 26-April 1, 2016

A