State has been "ready for weeks" to assist Aurora in 'gang takeovers,' says Polis

As an ongoing safety situation related to claims that Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang has taken over multiple apartment complexes in Aurora continues to unfold, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has noted that state assets are available to help if requested by the local government.

"Colorado is a zero tolerance state for illegal activity, taking over buildings has no place in Colorado, and I am confident that the city of Aurora shares this basic value and will enforce the law if it is being violated there. I urge them to do so quickly and in a thorough manner," wrote Polis in a August 30 social media post. "Over the last month, I have been in regular contact with the City of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department and have offered any and all state assistance to support their efforts if requested. The state has been ready for weeks to back up any operation by the Aurora Police Department needed to make Aurora safer."

This follows nationally-publicized public debate about this situation that's taken place in recent days and weeks, with some questioning how serious this issue is.

Aurora operates as a ' home-rule municipality ,' which can limit state powers on issues considered to be 'local affairs.' It's also worth noting that Aurora is operating under something called a ' consent decree ,' which involves an agreement with the state attorney general that can impact local policing efforts by working to ensure they follow a defined set of standards.

In most recent news on the situation, Denver Gazette reported that a man suspected to be a "key Venezuelan gang member" was arrested by the Aurora Police Department, confirmed on the night of August 30. This man was arrested along with three others with an alleged connection to a shooting that took place in July at The Aspen Grove Apartments, which was shut down by Aurora several weeks ago.

Polis' statement was met with a mixed reaction from the public.

Find the many comments left by Polis' audience here .

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