UPDATE 1/28/25 3:45 p.m.
CADILLAC — On Tuesday, Cadillac Police provided an update to the investigation into death threats against city council members and their families, saying they are working with the Attorney General’s Office.
No further details were made available due to the active investigation.
1/23/25 6:30 p.m.
CADILLAC — Online rumors that seemingly led to death threats against Cadillac city council members have now led to more rumors about the threats and the cancellation of two city council meetings.
The city council had several issues on the agenda for the canceled meetings, including PFAS concerns in the area and the city manager’s annual evaluation. Both come with controversy and people were expected to speak out during those meetings.
Filkins said the threats came in one after the other Tuesday, targeting two city leaders and their families. “They weren’t threats that came over social media. They were threats that came to individuals personally,” said Filkins.
She was unable to provide more information due to the active investigation.
By Wednesday, there was more online rhetoric questioning the credibility of the threats, even falsely accusing city leaders of faking them to avoid engaging with the public.
“I thought perhaps [the threats] would give people pause about what this rhetoric can turn into. I believe it pushed them over the edge to do something,” said Mayor Carla Filkins. As for the new rumors – “We would never cancel a meeting so we didn’t have to listen to people. That’s what we’re here for. It was because of safety.”
“It breaks my heart when this rhetoric is going on. It’s frightening these people. These people are scared. But the rhetoric that out there stated as fact on social media is not true,” she continued.
Filkins said she believes rumors about “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, found in the city’s water supply were partly to blame for the death threats.
“Somebody just started the mantra that the city knew this all along and didn’t tell anybody, and that is the furthest thing from the truth,” said Filkins.
She said threats and rumors that lead to cancelled meetings are counterproductive to solving problems in the community.
“The only way we’re going to get through all of this is together. We have to have those solution-oriented conversations. And listening goes both ways,” said Filkins.
The mayor said they are considering holding city council meetings at the courthouse, where there are metal detectors and increased security, but no decision has been made yet.
Cadillac Police continue to investigate. No arrests have yet been made.