New York’s police commissioner is in the Middle East nation of Qatar, and no one seems to know why.
On Friday the 13th, amid the Hamas call for a “global day of jihad” around the world, New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban is out of the country and people want some answers.
“Police Commissioner Edward Caban did not attend a City Hall briefing Thursday because he was out of the country,” the Daily News reported, citing an unnamed source. “He is visiting Qatar, according to a second source, though it’s unclear what he’s doing there.”
I’m sorry, what?
New York is telling Jews to close their synagogues on Friday because they can’t protect them, and the police commissioner is . . .in Qatar????
Ray Kelly would never. https://t.co/KGg4Hlbthq
— Faye Hausendorff (@FayeH321) October 13, 2023
According to the Daily News:
Top elected officials promised a “surge” in law enforcement presence throughout the Big Apple on Friday as New York State braces for mass protests and potential violence stemming from the war between Israel and Hamas.
The MTA’s top cops said Friday morning that they were prepping for violence on the region’s transit network due to the ongoing war.
ADVERTISEMENTStill, Mayor Adams, Gov. Hochul and top NYPD brass assured New Yorkers there are no credible threats to the city or state.
“With large-scale protests planned for tomorrow, we must remain vigilant,” Adams said at a press conference on Thursday. “New York City is the most diverse city in the world, and protecting our residents is the most sacred responsibility that we have.”
Schools, houses of worship and “key neighborhoods” were said to be getting more resources from the New York City Police Department, according to the mayor.
“New Yorkers and everybody visiting out city should certainly stay vigilant and aware and we always urge that but really should also stay calm and not alter your daily routines,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said.
“It’s really important to reassure folks that we have this situation under control,” she added. “It’s very easy from far away to instill fear and we’re not going to fall for that as a city, we’re not falling for it as a department and we are collectively going to work through this.”
But amid all the preparation and warnings to citizens, the absence of the police commissioner seemed even more odd.
“At one point in the press conference, Caban was called on by the mayor’s staff to speak via an online connection. However, he did not answer. During a closed-door meeting with lawmakers later in the evening, NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella divulged that Caban was out of the country, a source told The News,” the Daily News reported.
“The NYPD’s press office did not immediately answer an inquiry about Caban’s travels and when he plans to return to the city,” the outlet added.
The lack of information and the poor timing of the travel plans made for bad optics as social media users reacted with outrage on X:
I’m sorry, what?
The NYPD Commissioner is in Qatar right now, and we don’t when he plans to return or even how long he has been out of the country?https://t.co/7UrulNz27A
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) October 13, 2023
Totally on brand.
— Ordnance Jay Packard Esq. (@OrdnancePackard) October 13, 2023
Please tell me this is a joke.
— Jonny Z (@JZukawski) October 13, 2023
Daily News reports that NYPD commissioner Caban is in Qatar.
All NYPD police officers have been called to duty in uniform tomorrow. Caban has a responsibility to join them. https://t.co/5rX2RxhtQJ
— Elissa (@ElissaBeth) October 13, 2023
Yup. Eric Adams was there in Dec.
There’s always money involved with Qatar. Always. https://t.co/hIJx0hrdmX— AMY E JOHNSON (@AEJ58) October 13, 2023
This whole administration is a clown show
— Caillou Borden (@caillouborden12) October 13, 2023
NYPD has wasted collosal resources on crap like this since 9/11. And look how bad their record is on crime. Time to revoke the free pass and start demanding some answers about how taxpayer money is spent by these people.
— Richard Carlucci (@RCarlucci1983) October 13, 2023
I have a lot of questions.
— Mike in Mequon (@mikekomb) October 13, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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