Threat Increases on the Rise
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported on several new security measures we can expect if we want to hear high-profile and controversial politicians like Rep. Ilhan Omar speak. Her recent town hall at Elim Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale required bag searches and wanding for weapons before entry. Similar to the heightened security we’ve experienced at airports since 9/11 and the shoe bomber, security has become the new normal.
Unfortunately, the trend is moving in the wrong direction. The U.S. Capitol Police expect to conduct 14,000 threat-assessment cases this year, up from 9,625 in 2021. These cases are opened when someone threatens members of Congress, their families, or staff.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk will be felt in the U.S. for a very long time, possibly for years. The trial of the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, is sure to raise the stakes. Already, camps—some violent—are forming to assign blame for what occurred. If there was any hope of more moderate, reasoned voices gaining prestige in the country, it seems even less likely for the foreseeable future.
It occurs to us that politics has become a vehicle for funneling personal grievances. From job losses to rising grocery prices to religious extremism, grievances are increasingly directed toward the political system and those who represent it. Certainly, politics plays a role in all of these issues, but perhaps we place too much emphasis on the impact individual leaders can have.
One small indicator of the heightened security is the cost of hosting events. I spoke with Miriam DeMello about the use and cost of private security and off-duty officers. It was one of many topics we discussed in our hour-long conversation.
Interview Summary
Miriam DeMello, candidate for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 11, brings both professional experience in city government and personal ties to the community. A lifelong resident and graduate of Minneapolis Public Schools, she has worked in the public sector throughout her career, including with the Saint Paul mayor’s office and on the Minneapolis Charter Commission. She entered the race out of concern that the city is moving in the wrong direction, citing public safety and affordability as core issues.
DeMello’s campaign emphasizes a moderate Democratic approach focused on basic city services rather than broader national issues. She expressed concern about the rising cost of living in Minneapolis, particularly property taxes, which she argues burden homeowners, renters, and businesses alike without delivering better city services. She suggested looking for ways to trim unnecessary spending—including potentially examining city salaries and program effectiveness—before raising taxes further.
Public safety is central to her platform. DeMello supports rebuilding the Minneapolis Police Department to the staffing levels required by the city charter, but insists on rigorous screening and training for recruits. She also favors having officers visible in neighborhoods and schools to build trust and deter crime, while acknowledging the costs associated with overtime and event security. She views safety as foundational: if residents do not feel secure, they will leave the city, weakening neighborhoods and businesses.
On housing, DeMello voiced skepticism about rent control and the Minneapolis 2040 Plan. While she supports building more affordable housing, she prefers approaches that preserve neighborhood character and expand single-family homeownership. She pointed to vacant properties as an opportunity for redevelopment and argued for creative solutions that go beyond apartment construction. She also called for stronger youth support services, noting the recent Annunciation School tragedy underscored the need to intervene earlier in young people’s lives.
DeMello distinguished her campaign from others by highlighting her grassroots funding and independence from large donors. She expressed frustration with the DFL endorsement process, describing it as exclusionary and overly costly, and noted that community members encouraged her to stay in the race to provide a moderate alternative. She also stressed the importance of accessibility, pledging timely responses to residents and openness to dialogue on contentious issues like gun control, zoning, and budget priorities.
In closing, DeMello positions herself as a candidate rooted in Ward 11’s shared values of safety, affordability, and good governance. She frames her run less as a political ambition than as a response to neighbors who feel underserved by the current direction of City Hall. Her campaign underscores a call for pragmatism and attention to everyday city concerns.
For more information, visit:
https://www.mariamdemello.com/
