Council Member Mathieu Eugene Receives Police Protection After Being Threatened

Council Member Mathieu Eugene is being protected by police after a homeless man the council member has helped before began threatening him and his staff, according to the Daily News.

Sources told the newspaper that Pierre Lauture called the Council Member’s office on Monday demanding to speak to Eugene and that he he became upset when he was unable to. According to the council member, the man was upset over his lack of housing.

He first called Eugene’s district office and then his office in Manhattan. “He…. started harassing and using abusive language to speak to my staff,” Eugene told the Daily News. Eugene thought it best to contact the NYPD. There are now police officers posted at the council member’s home and office.

Despite the threats, Eugene says he has sympathy for the man. “I believe he is going through a hard time and I’d like to help him. I don’t what his intentions are. Did he cross the line with some of the things he said? Absolutely. But at the same time, this is a young man who needs assistance and at the end of the day, I feel compelled to help him in any way I can,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene.