Aurora police chief begins daily Venezuelan gang call

Photo byCity of Aurora

Aurora, Colo. -- Todd Chamberlain, Aurora’s new police chief, said Thursday during the safety committee meeting that he has started a daily conference call with other agencies to discuss developments related to Venezuelan gangs in the city. “I think it has kind of brought some clarity that I think was missing a bit.”

Chamberlain also said he has met with the city’s consent decree monitor. He said the city has a great relationship with the monitor. He said that relationship will determine the “success or failure” of ending the decree in about two and a half years.

Chamberlain said he sat through several officer-involved use of force incident reviews with the monitor and they were in agreement on things. Chamberlain said there are a couple of things he would like to see put in place regarding officer-involved use of force but he did not specify what at the meeting.

Public safety chair Jurinsky absent

Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky, who has thrust herself into the national spotlight as she discusses Venezuelan gangs, was absent Thursday. In an email to the author of this article, she said she was home with her ill child.

Jurinsky chairs the safety committee of the City Council. As such, she can and does set the tone for public safety policy in the city. Jurinsky has taken a tough-on-crime approach to leadership. Her actions have seen results. Shoplifting has dipped in the city, according to police.

Steve Sundberg, Jurinsky’s friend and vice chair of the committee, opened by saying “Our intrepid yet media shy chairwoman” is not present. He then began to move on to general business without first catching himself and saying, “By the way, welcome to our new police chief.”

During the meeting, Chamberlain emphasized that the department is doing great work fighting crime. He said he welcomed a recent class of police cadets by saying, “Congratulations on joining the greatest department in the United States.”

Concerns about parking lot parties

Council member Stephanie Hancock wanted to know what police plan to do about parking lot parties that have been springing up in the city. Monster trucks blast music and even set up sound systems, Hancock said. She said one truck resembled a “floating disco arena.” She said it was so loud you could hear and feel the music a mile away. She said in addition to the music, cars race in the lots. “It’s just a matter of time before I hear a large crash.” She said businesses have been complaining about the lot parties quite a bit.

Chamberlain said he wants to look at the crime index to determine whether they are fighting noise or whether it’s a violent crime issue. He said he will bring back recommendations for solutions.

City Manager Jason Batchelor said the city’s parks had similar problems with parties and racing earlier this year. He said the city created traffic calming measures in the lots to cut down on the racing.