Florida police showed up at a woman’s home over a Facebook post, and their explanation is raising alarms

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones has defended the decision to send detectives to a resident’s home over a social media post critical of Mayor Steven Meiner. The incident came to light through KVAL News and has since drawn national attention.

The encounter involved Miami Beach resident Raquel Pacheco, who posted a video of the interaction on X after detectives arrived at her door to question her about a Facebook comment they described as inflammatory. The footage shows officers asking whether the account belonged to her and referencing concerns about how others might react to the post.

After the video circulated widely, debate quickly followed over whether the police response crossed a line, particularly given that the post involved political criticism of an elected official rather than a direct threat.

The department says it was a preventive measure, not intimidation

In the video, Pacheco declines to answer questions without a lawyer present, telling the detectives she would not speak without legal counsel. One officer tells her she is not under arrest and explains they were there because of concerns that others might become agitated or agree with the statement she posted, a rationale that has fueled online reaction similar to viral incidents like suspicious phone behavior at Chiefs’ game.

The Facebook comment at the center of the visit accused Mayor Meiner of calling for the death of all Palestinians, attempting to shut down a theater over a film screening, and refusing to support LGBTQ issues. While the mayor has not called for the death of Palestinians, making the post factually incorrect, the comment itself did not include a direct threat.

Chief Jones addressed the situation in a press release issued Friday, citing heightened concerns over antisemitic attacks and political violence nationwide. He said he directed detectives to conduct a brief, voluntary conversation to determine whether the post posed any immediate threat to the mayor or the community, adding that the interaction was professional and ended without incident.

The incident has since sparked widespread reaction online, including comments from conservative commentator Megyn Kelly and Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, amid broader political debates such as the Greenland tariff backlash from European leaders. Fishback later said he spoke with Pacheco and defended her right to free speech, noting her prior service in the National Guard from 1993 to 1999 and stating that political disagreement does not negate constitutional protections.