In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara are in the middle of a political storm over crime, policing, and progressive politics.
Believe it or not, there’s a lesson here for Nevada cities about what happens when “soft-on-crime” politics collide with the real world.
Standing Up for the Chief
It started with a June 3, 2025, federal drug raid on Lake Street. At first, activists claimed it was an immigration raid; something Minneapolis, a self-declared “sanctuary city,” is supposed to oppose.
Turns out, it wasn’t about immigration at all. Federal agents seized 900 pounds of meth from a transnational criminal organization.
Still, five of Frey’s opponents in the upcoming mayoral race called for him to discipline O’Hara just for being at the scene. Frey refused, pointing out that O’Hara’s only role was helping keep the peace after the feds asked for crowd control.
That’s common sense. You don’t punish a police chief for showing up to maintain public safety – especially when it’s about stopping drug and human trafficking.
Nevada’s sheriffs have long warned about fentanyl and meth moving through cartel networks. If our law enforcement leaders had their hands tied over politics, the damage to public safety would be huge.
The No-Knock Debate
Another flashpoint: O’Hara promoted an officer who had been part of a no-knock warrant operation.
Critics say no-knocks are too dangerous, but Frey and O’Hara argue they’re necessary in certain high-risk situations, with strict safeguards.
In Las Vegas and Reno, SWAT teams still use no-knock tactics when going after armed suspects or drug traffickers. Many see the Minneapolis outrage as political theater.
Crime Stats Tell a Mixed Story
Here’s where it gets interesting. In 2025, violent crime in Minneapolis is down – shootings and homicides have dropped. The city even had its longest streak without a killing since February.
That didn’t happen by accident. Frey and O’Hara have boosted the police budget from $180 million in 2022 to $230 million this year. They’ve worked hard to hire more officers, increasing applications by 135% and diversifying the force.
That’s exactly the opposite of the “defund the police” crowd’s vision.
But not all news is good. Rape reports are up 20%, and car thefts are climbing.
Conservatives point to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s lenient prosecution style as part of the problem.
When criminals think the DA will let them off easy, crime goes up. We’ve seen similar trends in progressive-run cities across the country.
Moriarty is now resigning, and conservatives call that a win for public safety. Her soft-on-crime approach put her at odds with Frey and O’Hara from the start.
The Immigration Fight
Frey and O’Hara are still holding the line on the city’s “sanctuary” status, refusing to help ICE – even after the drug bust.
Conservatives see that as a dangerous contradiction. If federal agents are taking down cartels, why block cooperation?
Politics vs. Policing
Minneapolis has been ground zero for policing debates since George Floyd’s death in 2020.
Frey isn’t a conservative by any stretch, but his defense of O’Hara and his push for more officers show a break from the radical “abolish the police” mindset.
The takeaway for Nevada? Leadership matters.
When mayors and police chiefs stand up to political pressure and back their officers, violent crime goes down.
With Las Vegas and Reno both facing growth, homelessness, and rising property crime, the Minneapolis example should be a warning.
Support your cops, keep politics out of police work, and remember that public safety comes before political points.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
