Aurora Mayor Offers Police Protection to Gang-Affected Apartment Buildings, Threatens Closure Without Routine Services
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced on Monday that the city had offered police protection to two gang-affected apartment buildings, after earlier denying a request from the landowner. The offer included two police officers for each property for two weeks, with a possible extension if needed. However, the city also threatened to shut down the complexes if routine services like trash removal were not provided soon.
The apartment landlords had requested security two months ago, but city officials had initially denied the request due to staffing issues. The offer came after the landowner was asked to assume responsibility for the properties and place onsite property managers in each one.
It is unclear who will cover the costs of the police protection if the offer is accepted. CBZ Management, the owner of the properties, also owns other multi-family projects in Colorado that are allegedly under gang control, according to their attorney.
The gang in question, Tren de Aragua (TDA), is a Venezuelan prison gang involved in criminal activities such as human trafficking and drug trafficking. Over the past 22 months, nearly 43,000 immigrants, mostly from South and Central America, have come to Denver after crossing the U.S. southern border illegally, creating a humanitarian crisis.
Mayor Coffman insisted that the city has not been overrun by gangs and addressed community fears over safety by personally visiting the properties. The situation highlights the challenges faced by cities dealing with gang violence and the impact of immigration on local communities.
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Photo credit denvergazette.com
