The city of Bryant on Thursday issued a statement denying allegations of harassment against the owner of a mobile home park and her Hispanic tenants.
Mary Bivens, owner of B & M mobile home park, said in a federal lawsuit filed last month that the city of Bryant is harassing her and her Hispanic residents in an effort to get them to leave the city.
The lawsuit alleges the mobile home park is subjected to inflated water and sewer bills, as well as arbitrary and selective enforcement of building codes and animal control ordinances, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.
It also alleges that Bivens’ Hispanic tenants are arbitrarily and selectively stopped, inspected, searched and ticketed and that they are subject to having their vehicles impounded to force them to pay towing and storage fees.
The city of Bryant denied all claims, saying “we do not, and will not, condone any discrimination whatsoever.”
“It is our duty as city officials to look after the safety and well-being of all residents in our great city, regardless of race, color or creed. This includes the residents of B & M Mobile Home Park,” according to a statement issued by Dana Poindexter, assistant to Bryant Mayor Jill Dabbs, on behalf of the city. “The issues that the city of Bryant has been dealing with at this particular location are serious violations that could cause severe health issues to the residents who live there.”
The suit seeks monetary damages to compensate Bivens for the “financially devastating” effect the actions have had on her 8.5-acre operation as well as an order permanently prohibiting the city from violating the Fourth, Fifth and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.