NYPD Blasts Ted Cruz’s Call to ‘Secure’ Muslim Communities

In the wake of another European terrorist attack, lives are shattered, fear and panic are widespread, and some U.S. officials have been quick to rear their prejudices on American citizens, but the country’s largest police force isn’t taking one presidential candidate’s words lightly.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz posted on Facebook his response to the Belgian bombing that took place Tuesday and has been widely criticized for his call to have law enforcement “secure” Muslim neighborhoods, despite no feasible way to do so, nor with any indication that it would actually prevent such an attack or the radicalization of Muslim Americans.

“We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized,” he said.

The full post:

While some might support these actions, one surprising group had a strong response to Cruz’s rhetoric.

J. Peter Donald, NYPD communications director, tweeted at Cruz, “Are our nearly 1k Muslim officers a ‘threat’ too? It’s hard to imagine a more incendiary, foolish statement.”

Hey, @tedcruz are our nearly 1k Muslim officers a "threat" too? It's hard to imagine a more incendiary, foolish statement

— J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) March 23, 2016

Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a press conference with NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, said, “His comments are not about safety and security. It’s demagoguery.”

Bratton added to de Blasio’s sentiments saying, “I have over 900 very dedicated officers in this department, many of whom do double duty, and they serve as active duty members of the U.S. Military in combat, something the senator has never seen.

“So before he starts denigrating any population, he should take a close look at who he’s denigrating.”

Perhaps Cruz will get the message that the NYPD does not want to cooperate with some of his policies.