Media and government officials are downplaying the influence of Venezuelan gangs in Aurora, Colorado, said one woman who moved out of her apartment earlier this year because of escalating violence.
“It feels like a slap in the face,” Cindy Romero told FOX News Digital. “Is it okay for Aurora to have any number of gangs? How many properties can it take over? How many ratepaying citizens can be evicted?”
Romero's comments came after Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance and ABC News host Martha Raddatz clashed during an interview Sunday about the presence of Venezuelan gangs in Aurora.
Cindy Romero and her husband recorded numerous videos of alleged gang activity at their former apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. Romero said men with guns patrolled the property and there were frequent gunfights. (Edward Romero)
Colorado City Council member hits back after governor's office denies armed group takeover as 'imaginary'
Raddatz confronted Vance over former President Donald Trump's claims that members of the multinational organization Torren de Aragua had “occupied” an apartment complex and “infiltrated and conquered” the city.
“I'm going to stop you because I know exactly what happened,” Raddatz told Vance. “I'll stop you.'' “The incident was confined to a small number of apartment complexes,'' the mayor said, “and our dedicated police officers acted on those concerns.'' How many. There is a problem. ”
Vance responded, “Martha, can you hear me? Only a handful of American apartment complexes have been taken over by Venezuelan gangs. Isn't it Donald Trump and not Kamala Harris' open borders?” Ta.
President Trump slammed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' border policies during a campaign stop in Aurora on Friday, calling for ICE, Border Patrol, and federal law enforcement to “target illegal alien gang members.” He formally proposed a plan to “hunt down, arrest, and deport them to the end.” There is not a single person left in this country. ”
Romero appeared briefly on stage with Trump during the rally. She and her husband moved out of their apartment in August after Romero said, “This crime is out of control.”
Former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Aurora, Colorado on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images)
Hispanic voters push back against 'dishonest' Biden-Harris border record as polls show Trump ahead in key states
The couple's security camera recorded men with guns breaking into their neighbor's home. Romero said several gunfights occurred at the complex. At one point, a bullet hit her car. She said police rarely responded to her 911 calls.
“I feel like the mayor and the governor and the government [police] “Everything makes light of the situation. I was chased out of my apartment by gang activity, carrying guns in the hallways and patrolling the premises with guns,” Romero said.
Last month, local police announced the arrest of 10 members of the Torren de Aragua gang in connection with criminal activities around the apartment complex.
Local and national news outlets criticized President Trump's statements about Colorado gangs as misleading; City staff He accused the media of “drastically exaggerating incidents that were limited to a small number of problem properties.'' Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman (R) previously told Fox News Digital in a statement, “The situation is real, but we need to take it into account.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Coffman said Denver is a “victim” of federal policy and neighboring Denver's sanctuary city status.
“A large wave of migrants is coming across the border, many of them illegally, being arrested, seeking political asylum, and being released into the country, the city of Aurora, without adequate vetting. ” he said. He spoke in an interview with American Report in August. “Frankly, we did everything we could to keep them out of the city because that's not our problem. This is a federal problem.”
