Aurora, Colorado Mayor Mike Coffman announced on Friday that the city is taking measures to address the presence of the transnational armed gang Tren de Aragua in local apartment buildings.
In a statement shared via Facebook, Coffman indicated that the Aurora City Attorney’s Office is preparing legal documents to seek an emergency order from a municipal court to designate the affected properties as a “Criminal Nuisance.” This move aims to regain control of the buildings for their rightful owners. The law enforcement task force designated to disrupt and arrest members of the Venezuelan gang will continue its efforts in the meantime. Coffman expressed his commitment to shutting down the properties to prevent further issues.
Authorities have already made an arrest related to the situation, with the leader of Tren de Aragua, known as “Cookie Monster,” currently in custody following a shooting incident on July 28.
This effort to apprehend armed gang members has gained significant media attention, largely due to the activism of Council Member Danielle Jurinsky. After assisting local residents Cindy and Edward Romero with their concerns, a video depicting gang activity went viral.
Jurinsky recently appeared on national platforms to highlight the issue, drawing further criticism of Colorado Governor Jared Polis for his handling of the crisis. Romero openly criticized Polis, stating he “wouldn’t last five minutes” in the gang-occupied buildings, while the governor’s office dismissed the situation, attributing it to Jurinsky’s “imagination.”
In response, Polis’s spokeswoman reiterated Colorado’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal activities and offered state assistance to the Aurora police if required. She also suggested that if Jurinsky possesses evidence of illegal acts, she should report it to the authorities immediately.
Jurinsky emphasized that she is not the only council member addressing this situation, although she tends to receive more media attention. She expressed relief that her concerns are being acknowledged, noting, “I hope that in the future, I will be taken more seriously.”
The timeline for further apprehensions and the clearing of the buildings remains uncertain, while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not yet commented on the developments.