Aurora City Council Member Danielle Jurinsky speaks out against Governor Jared Polis' dismissal of the city's problems with armed Venezuelan gangs, alleging he is using the issue for political gain.
Aurora City Council Member Danielle Jurinsky has accused Colorado Governor Jared Polis of using the city's problems with armed Venezuelan gangs as a "political football," after his office dismissed her concerns as "largely a feature of Danielle Jurinsky’s imagination."
Jurinsky, who has been instrumental in raising awareness about the gang's takeover of apartment buildings in Aurora, said Polis' response was "a slap in the face to the residents who are living in fear."
Colorado Lawmaker Accuses Governor of Using Migrant Gang Issue as 'Political Football'
In a statement posted to Facebook, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced on Friday that the city is starting the process of clearing the apartment buildings where the transnational armed gang Tren de Aragua has taken over.
"This will require a municipal judge to issue the order with the goal of getting these properties back under the control of the property owners," Coffman said.
Colorado Lawmaker Accuses Governor of Using Migrant Gang Issue as 'Political Football'
One gang leader, known as "Cookie Monster," is already in custody in relation to a shooting on July 28.
Jurinsky said she has been assisting residents who have been forced to flee their homes due to the gang's presence.
Colorado Lawmaker Accuses Governor of Using Migrant Gang Issue as 'Political Football'
"These people are living in fear," she said. "They are afraid to go outside, they are afraid to let their children play in the park. They are prisoners in their own homes."
Jurinsky said Polis' dismissive response to her concerns shows that he is "out of touch with the reality of what is happening in Aurora."
Colorado Lawmaker Accuses Governor of Using Migrant Gang Issue as 'Political Football'
"He needs to stop playing politics and start taking this issue seriously," she said.
Polis' spokesperson, Shelby Weiman, told the New York Post on Thursday that the issue was "largely a feature of Danielle Jurinsky’s imagination."
Colorado Lawmaker Accuses Governor of Using Migrant Gang Issue as 'Political Football'
But Jurinsky said she is not the only local official who is speaking out about the gang's activities.
"There are other council members speaking out on this," she said. "It's not just me."
Polis' office did not respond to a request to clarify whether the governor's statement was intended to threaten Jurinsky.
Jurinsky said she is happy that the city is finally taking action to clear the apartment buildings of the gang members.
"It is a shame that people had to suffer for as long as they did," she said. "But I am happy that this gang will now be addressed."
Jurinsky said she hopes that in the future, she and other local officials will be taken more seriously when they raise concerns about public safety.
"Aurora is my hometown and well worth the fight!" she said.
