The Brooklyn Park City Council has expressed concern about Councilwoman Maria Tran’s mental state and asked her to seek help. Police Chief Broulee said Tran made repeated unsubstantiated reports about fellow lawmakers and asked officers about access to guns. The majority of city council members supported the council. The letter was intended for Tran’s well-being, but City Council member Molson refused to sign it, saying it accomplished nothing.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) – Brooklyn Park City Council members are urging their colleagues to seek mental health help after a concerning pattern of behavior.
what we know
Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston on Monday night introduced a letter the council had written to Councilwoman Maria Tran asking her to meet with a mental health provider.
The mayor said the council is concerned about Tran’s actions, including repeatedly making accusations against council members and recently allegedly seeking out a gun to protect himself from council members.
background
Concerns about Tran’s mental health first became public last week during a parliamentary work session where lawmakers discussed the issue. The mayor said the open meetings law required him to handle the matter publicly.
The discussion began when Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Blue learned that Mr. Tran was trying to get a gun from one of his officers, implying that he needed it to protect himself from his fellow officers. This was caused by a report from Lee.
The commissioner said at Monday night’s meeting that Tran has filed several police reports against other city council members since taking office, but officers were unable to substantiate them.
“One of the continuing themes that I’ve seen throughout the numerous reports, investigations, and stories I’ve heard from Ms. Tran is the paranoia of physical harm and the fear that someone will kill her, someone will come after her. “The fear is that he will attack her,” Chief Bruley said. Ms Bruley said she was concerned about these reports, especially since police officers have been unable to find any evidence to support these concerns.
During the meeting, City Council member Christian Eriksen said one of Tran’s complaints led to a police investigation.
Brooklyn Park City Council (FOX 9)
reaction
The majority of City Council supported the letter and said they wanted what was best for Tran. City Councilwoman Nicole Klonowski said work has been going on behind the scenes to address the situation.
“I have a career of working with people who suffer from mental health issues, and if that is what is actually happening to Councilman Tran,” Klonowski said. “And it’s part of my personal life, and I take the red flags seriously.”
Councilman Boyd Mawson objected, saying the letter would do more harm than good. She also argued that the letter accomplishes nothing because the City Council cannot force her to undergo mental health treatment. Molson also pointed out that none of the council members were qualified to diagnose individuals.
“I’m not in this to hurt or harm anyone. I just never will,” Molson said. “This is completely unethical, unnecessary and a violation of her human rights. Let the doctors decide if she is unfit and unstable. Or let the people decide by not voting for her. Let’s get it.”
Eriksen countered Molson’s criticism, saying elected officials are subject to greater scrutiny and that some councilors have experience in the mental health field. Eriksen likened the situation to a medical emergency, noting that members do not need to be doctors to notice that something is wrong.
“Symptoms are signs of a problem and you don’t need to be a medical professional to recognize that,” he explained. “And I want someone to ask for help.”
What’s next?
It is unclear how Tran will react to the letter. Mayor Winston said the council would allow her to attend future meetings remotely to provide Tran with peace of mind.
Councilman Molson said Tran, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, asked to delay discussion of the letter so he could respond at a future meeting.
