This week, we asked readers their opinion on the abrupt resignation of now-former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban on Sept. 12 after his home, along with the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, David Banks’ brother, were raided by federal agents on Sept. 4.

 

It was later reported by various media outlets that Caban said the raid on his home “created a distraction” and the NYPD deserved someone who could “solely focus on protecting and serving New York City.” No charges have been announced in relation to Caban, Wright, David Banks or Philip Banks. We also asked readers their thoughts on the new acting Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon, who grew up in Norwood.

 

As reported, Donlon, who was sworn in on Friday, Sept. 13, grew up on Perry Avenue. According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Donlon is an experienced law enforcement professional who has worked at the local, state, federal and international levels. “He served as New York’s director of the Office of Homeland Security, ran the FBI National Threat Center and the FBI NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force, and worked as the cold case agent investigating the 1993 Twin Towers bombing, as well as the attacks in U.S. embassy in Africa and the USS Cole in Yemen by al-Qaeda.”

 

According to Wikipedia, after retiring from the FBI, Donlon became a global security director at two financial corporations, and between 2009 and 2010, he served as the director of New York’s Office of Homeland Security. In 2020, he founded a security firm called Global Security Resolutions, which produced an event series called “Focus Under Pressure,” featuring Joe Pistone, a former FBI agent who went undercover to investigate organized crime.

 

“My thoughts on the [former] commissioner are, honestly, he hasn’t really been here for the community. I just feel like he was there just for the money, and the new commissioner, I feel like he’s actually going to do what he’s supposed to, and he’s going to enforce the laws and regulations.”

Annah Lee,

Fordham Manor

“It’s a good thing he [Caban] is resigning. He shouldn’t have done what he allegedly did, and now we have a new police commissioner. If he was innocent, he wouldn’t have resigned. I hope the new commissioner runs the department well.”

Steven Banks,

Fordham Manor

“Oh, I’m not sure if he did it. I haven’t been following the developments but hey, I hope it all works out well for him. I knew he was the first Latino commissioner, so it bothers me a little bit. We don’t know too much about the new commissioner. Let’s see what he does. Maybe he’ll do something better. It’s his neighborhood here; he grew up here, so maybe he’ll look out for it and put some thought into it.”

Tony Enamorado,

Norwood

“Of course, his resignation is disappointing and not only that, but he was appointed by a minority mayor, a former policeman, and to hear that he may have engaged in corruption is saddening. Where there is smoke, there’s fire like they say. That’s interesting; I did not know he [Donlan] was from here. I do not know him. I don’t know his background. Anti-terror? That’s a good thing.”

Americo Galindez,

Jerome Park

“I don’t agree with his resignation, I don’t think he should have stepped down so fast because there is no evidence. I don’t believe that he committed a crime nor has Mayor [Eric] Adams, or any of his people because there’s no evidence. And they [the FBI] have been raiding the homes of his people, his house, family members, and not finding anything. I think there’s a hidden agenda with that. I believe they’re good people. It doesn’t matter where Donlan is from. It matters what’s in his heart, and what he will do to help the people, not just in The Bronx but everywhere.”

Francis Garcia,

Morrisania resident visiting Kingsbridge