Increased Security Present at Palm Desert City Hall Following Death Threats Against Mayor

PALM DESERT — A pair of death threats, both addressed to Mayor Karina Quintanilla at City Hall in August, has prompted the city to increase the number of deputy sheriffs from two to three at City Council meetings, City Clerk Anthony Mejia confirmed. This is without additional expense as the City is using its existing police resources.

She is also receiving security from deputies, although not wherever she goes, Mejia said.

“The City cannot divulge specific security protocols as releasing such information could jeopardize the safety and security of government facilities, operations, and personnel,” Mejia said.

The City is not incurring additional costs associated with the recent threats, Mejia. The City is utilizing existing police resources to cover the increased security,

Mejia would not disclose any other specific security protocols as releasing such information could jeopardize the safety and security of government facilities, operations, or personnel, he said.

patriot store 3The dual death threats arrived after Quintanilla wrote a blistering social media post about the Patriot Store on El Paseo. About a dozen people showed up at City Hall and demanded she resign, or she would be recalled. 

She created the page    on her own time. The city did not approve it, sanction it and is not associated with it in any way.

No one’s life should ever be threatened. There are ways to disagree without resorting to violence or threats of violence.  The threats remain under investigation.

The irony of her now receiving protection is not lost on some of her   opponents who have monitored some of the mayor’s votes, particularly when it comes to the budget.

On June 27, Quintanilla abstained from voting on the 2024-25 operating budget of $83,063,012, which included money for police and fire. You can find the agenda and video of that meeting here: https://pub-palmdesert.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=37af1ca0-27cc-4490-86ce-7379e4e1ef55&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=49&Tab=attachments

The budget discussion begins at the 3:49:18 mark. Police services were voted on as part of the entire budget process, and the vote for the FY 24/25 budget was 4 – 0 – 1, with Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik, Evan Trubee, Gina Nestande, and Kathleeen Kelly voting in favor.

Quintanilla’s critics argue that she did not support public safety when it mattered yet wants protection now.

Those are simply the facts.

Quintanilla is running for re-election to represent District 1. Chris Scott is her sole challenger.