LETTERS: Readers Write About Venezuelan Gang Uprising in Aurora

NOT FROM THE EDITORS: Here’s a small sampling of what Sentinel readers think about the ongoing controversy over unsubstantiated claims of Venezuelan “gang takeovers” in parts of Aurora.

EDITOR: Thanks for your piece on “gangs/apartment complexes”. It’s hard to find the truth and facts. Back in the day, words mattered and you were held to those words. Sadly, not anymore.

Thank you for helping me understand what’s going on out there.

Mike Dougher, Chattanooga, Tenn.

EDITOR: Only a Bolshevik would barely see any human immigrants and immediately demonize the people who shed light on the negative effects these “people” have on American society. They don’t belong here.. and honestly, you don’t belong here either. Stop calling common sense governing “far right policies”. But I’ll give you credit.. it must be hard to live your life when you’re constantly clutching your pearl necklace with one hand.

Quinn Gardner, no address given

EDITOR: I was glad to read your response to the behavior of Danielle Jurinsky and Mike Coffman in feeding their lies and exaggerations to Fox News. A political stunt indeed, but I suspect an element of revenge on Coffman’s part as well. He is probably still smarting from losing his congressional seat to Jason Crow. And Crow is a real target of this whole effort to paint Aurora as overrun with criminal immigrants because of the nation’s immigration policies. Having their disinformation peddled by Fox News is intended to hurt Crow in his re-election campaign, but it hurts the very community they are supposedly serving! One of my neighbors here in Denver was surprised to get a call from her daughter in another state who was concerned about her mother living in such a dangerous place.

Thank you for holding Jurinsky and Coffman accountable for this outrageous and damaging political stunt.

Susan Greenwood, former Aurora resident

EDITOR: My iPhone has been blowing up over the past few days due to out of town friends and family who were concerned for my safety due to Venezuelan gangs in my city. While I have responded with some of the same points you carefully laid out in your editorial, they are convinced that Mayor Mike Coffman and Governor Jared Polis are denying the “evidence” presented on Fox News channels. I am now sending them your editorial (sadly to no avail).

Thank you for your factual reporting and insightful editorials.

Susan Sonnemaker, Aurora

EDITOR: Perry is not a “journalist!” He is a leftist who spreads propaganda that is usually full of lies and half-truths. He never, ever gathers and presents information from all the perspectives that a real journalist would attempt to do. Journalists seek the truth and let the chips fall where they may. In his recent column, he seems to ignore the idea that there is a problem here. Yes, the story is being hyped for political purposes (something he often does), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t serious problems. The idea that he is claiming to be a journalist is actually pretty insane. Perry needs to stop making false claims about who he really is.

HSTO, Aurora

EDITOR: Thank you for speaking out against this violent rhetoric and disinformation.

I’m fighting this in my own family. My mother’s friend’s granddaughter was attacked (and apparently kidnapped) while fulfilling a North Aurora Doordash order.

My family and others have told me that this has to do with Venezuelan gangs.

Whether or not this is the case does not matter.

It is the responsibility of the police to prevent this without bothering innocent residents.

It is the city’s responsibility to ensure that people in these poor neighborhoods are paid better and benefit from government benefits, thereby reducing crime.

It is Doordash’s responsibility to ensure the safety of its drivers and not send them to areas where this happens without even paying them hazard pay.

I told my mom to ask her friend to sue Doordash too.

I’ve had tense email conversations with Danielle Jurinsky.

She makes unsubstantiated claims that will lead to both private and legislative violence (deportation, etc.) against not only Venezuelan residents, but also against anyone who looks Spanish.

She is Aurora’s Nazi. I called her that in my email to her, and I will continue to do so.

She should be removed from office and even arrested for trying to incite violence against her own constituents.

Joe Honsberger, Aurora

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