LETTERS: Readers write about Aurora Venezuelan gang uproar

EDITOR’S NOT: Here is a small sampling of what Sentinel readers think about the roiling controversy over unproven claims of Venezuelan “gang takeovers” in parts of Aurora.

EDITOR: Thank you for your piece on “gangs/apartment complexes “ It’s hard to find truth and facts. It used to be that words mattered and you were held to those words. Sadly not any more.

Thanks for helping me understand what’s happening out there.

Mike Dougher, Chattanooga, Tenn.

EDITOR: Only a Bolshevik would see barely human immigrants and immediately demonize the people shedding 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 will give you credit.. it must be difficult to live your life when one hand is constantly clutching your pearl necklace.

Quinn Gardner, no address given

EDITOR: I was pleased 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 also suspect an element of revenge on the part of Coffman. He is likely still hurting from his loss of his congressional seat to Jason Crow. And Crow is a real target of this whole attempt to paint Aurora as overrun by criminal immigrants because of national immigration policies. Getting their disinformation trumpeted by the likes of Fox News is meant to hurt Crow in his re-election campaign, but it’s wounding the very community that they supposedly serve! One of my neighbors here in Denver was puzzled by a call from her daughter in another state who was worried about her mother living in such a dangerous place.

Thank you calling out Jurinsky and Coffman for this outrageous and damaging political stunt.

Susan Greenwood , former resident of Aurora

EDITOR: My iPhone has blown-up the past few days from out of town friends and family concerned about my safety due to Venezuelan gangs in my city.  While I’ve responded with some of the same points you thoughtfully laid out in your editorial, they are convinced that Mayor Mike Coffman and Gov. Jared Polis are denying the “evidence” presented on Fox News outlets.  I’m now sending them your editorial (sadly, to no avail). 

Thank you for your fact-based reporting and insightful editorials.

Susan Sonnemaker, Aurora

EDITOR: Perry is not a “journalist!” He is a leftist who spews propaganda that is usually filled with lies and half-truths. He never, ever collects and presents information from all perspectives that an actual journalist would endeavor to do. Journalists seek 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 does often), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t serious issues. The idea that he is claiming to be a journalist is actually quite insane. Perry should stop making false claims about who he really is.

HSTO, Aurora

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

I am fighting it in my own family. My Mom’s friend’s granddaughter was attacked (and apparently this was a kidnapping attempt) while completing a North Aurora Doordash order.

My family is being told by that family, and others, that this is related to Venezuelan gangs.

Whether or not that is, does not matter.

It is the responsibility of police to not allow that to happen, without harassing innocent residents.

It is the responsibility of the city to ensure better pay, and government benefits, to people in these poor neighborhoods, to reduce crime.

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

I told my Mom she needs to tell her friend to sue Doordash as well.

I have had tense exchanges with Danielle Jurinsky over email.

She makes unsubstantiated claims that will result in both private violence and legislative violence (deportation, etc.) against not just Venezuelan residents, but also anyone who appears Hispanic.

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

She needs to be removed from office, and even arrested for attempting to incite violence against her own constituents.

Joe Honsberger, Aurora