Aurora, Colorado Mayor Mike Coffman speaks out about the migrant gang threat facing the Denver suburb after a group of armed men took over an apartment complex. Despite concerns raised by the community, several city council members dismissed the threat as "overblown" by the media.
Aurora, Colorado Mayor Mike Coffman has accused the federal government of failing to address the influx of migrants crossing the southern border, which he believes has contributed to the rise of gang violence in the Denver suburb.
Speaking to "America Reports" last week, Coffman said that several buildings in Aurora have fallen under the control of Venezuelan gangs. "Somebody put them there and somebody funded it," he said. "These gangs apparently are attracted to where there's a concentration of Venezuelan migrants."
Aurora Mayor: City 'Victim of Failed Policy at Southern Border' After Gang Takeover
Coffman's comments come after surveillance footage emerged showing armed members of the Tren de Aragua gang attempting to break into an apartment complex in Aurora. While the city council has downplayed the threat, claiming it was exaggerated by the media, Coffman insists that the situation is dire.
"We're trying to walk it back and do the investigation as to how there's a concentration of Venezuelans in these three buildings," he said. "They've, in fact, have kind of pushed out the property management through intimidation and then collected the rents."
Aurora Mayor: City 'Victim of Failed Policy at Southern Border' After Gang Takeover
According to Coffman, the problem stems from a lack of attention given to the border crisis by the federal government. "The Feds almost refuse to acknowledge there's a problem," he said. "There's a humanitarian issue on the border but there's also a security issue."
Coffman's concerns have been echoed by some Aurora residents who blame the city's poor living conditions on absentee landlords. "They say there are gangs and criminals, but the only criminal here is the owner," said resident Moises Didenot.
Aurora Mayor: City 'Victim of Failed Policy at Southern Border' After Gang Takeover
City officials, however, have shifted the focus to building owners, claiming they have a responsibility to address health hazards and code violations in their properties. "We will continue to aggressively pursue a resolution in order to address the poor conditions impacting residents," said city spokesperson Michael Brannen.
Despite the differing perspectives, Coffman maintains that the problem is rooted in the lack of border enforcement. "We've got to seal the border," he said. "We've got to have a strong immigration policy."
Aurora Mayor: City 'Victim of Failed Policy at Southern Border' After Gang Takeover
The Aurora Police Department has stated that it has no evidence that Tren de Aragua members are targeting Denver apartment complexes for "takeovers." However, Coffman believes that the city is "ground zero" for the gang's activities and is calling for federal assistance. "We need help," he said. "We need federal resources, we need federal support."
The influx of migrants into Aurora has raised concerns about the potential for increased crime and public safety issues. Coffman's comments highlight the complex challenges faced by communities dealing with the consequences of a porous border. Whether the solution lies in stronger border enforcement or addressing the root causes of migration remains a subject of ongoing debate.
