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Cruz Defends Call To Police U.S. Muslim Neighborhoods

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NEW YORK (CBS THIS MORNING) - Reacting to Tuesday's deadly terror attacks in Brussels, Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz proposed more resources for U.S. police to "patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized." During an interview with "CBS This Morning" Wednesday, Cruz doubled down on that plan, despite criticism from top law enforcement officials like New York City police commissioner Bill Bratton.

"We saw a horrific terror attack in Brussels and our prayers this morning are with the families of those murdered, of those wounded," Cruz said. "But what is important is that was not a lone wolf, that wasn't an isolated attack. It was radical Islamic terrorism. It was ISIS that has declared jihad, that is waging war on us."

Cruz pointed to a former New York City police unit that targeted Muslims for surveillance as a model for his proposals.

"New York City, under Mayor Bloomberg, had a program that focused on, worked proactively with Muslim communities to stop radicalization to prevent attacks from radical Islamic terrorism before they occur," Cruz said. "Now what happened? Mayor de Blasio came in and decided political correctness mattered more than keeping people safe. He disbanded the program."

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