4:54 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2024
of Brooklyn Park City Council is asking one of its members to undergo a mental health evaluation.
City officials elected at an Oct. 7 work session said they believe there is a conspiracy to harm or kill Councilwoman Maria Tran at City Hall.
They described this as one in a series of baseless claims Mr. Tran has made since his election.
“One of the reasons Councilwoman Tran does not attend our meetings is because she has expressed her views with the Mayor both in writing and vocally.” [the city manager] I’m going to kill her in this room,” said Councilwoman Nicole Klonowski.
In one instance, Ms. Tran accused another city council member of threatening to punch her in the face. In another article, she accused the City Council member of racial or ethnic bias while also saying he could read her mind, according to audio from the meeting.
Tran was censured by the City Council in June for violating the city’s respectful workplace policy.
Police Chief Mark Bruley told parliament that Tran had recently visited the police station to apply for a firearms permit.
“The reason she wanted a gun — specifically — was to protect herself,” he said. “But also, very specifically, she feels that she is being attacked by this council. She has no confidence that any reasonable person would believe that they are being attacked.” I haven’t seen any information that could. Of course, it’s not an attack that would make you think you need to get a gun.”
Brouley said Tran did not want to give his home address to law enforcement officials when applying for a permit. She implied it was necessary for self-defense against other lawmakers.
The police chief said he tried to contact her by phone and at her home, but was unsuccessful.
The Brooklyn Park City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution requiring one of its members, Maria Tran, to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Concerns and responses
Council members said they were concerned not only for their own safety, but also for Tran’s safety.
“I think this is indicative of someone who is not safe, is not appropriate, is not thinking clearly and needs more help than we on this council can provide,” said Council Member Christian. Eriksen said. “Councilman Tran blamed a lot of people sitting around this table.”
Klonowski said he had tried in the past to convince Tran that there was no conspiracy against him.
“My empathy ends when someone is trying to get a gun in relation to increasingly paranoid comments and escalating rhetoric,” she said.
Mayor Hollies Winston characterized Tran’s previous accusations as “out of touch with reality.”
“People have a right to protect and protect their reputation,” Winston said. “They also have a right to feel safe.”
The City Council ultimately asked city staff to draft a resolution requiring Tran to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Tran did not attend Monday’s work session, but posted on Facebook:
“Anti-Asian in politics is publicly visible in BP City Council activities.” [sic]” Tran wrote on his Facebook page. “Look at last night. [sic] Attack the victim from behind (I was attending another event at the library for local residents). It is unconstitutional to use constant threats, intimidation, bullying, conspiracy, and defamation to force political opponents out of the system. Do you want to see justice? ”
The council is expected to vote on the mental health resolution at a future meeting.
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