In a bizarre welcome to Colorado, nine suspected Tren de Aragua gang members harassed new Venezuelan residents at an Aurora apartment complex, proving once again that moving is stressful enough without adding armed door knockers to the mix.

This unsettling incident, which took place just two days after the victims arrived from Venezuela, highlights ongoing gang issues in Aurora, where police have fielded 44 calls related to gang activity since last August. As Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described the Tren de Aragua gang as a 'cancer' in the community, local authorities are taking swift action, including a collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to ensure that new arrivals can enjoy their new home without the threat of becoming unwilling participants in a crime drama.

On June 9, the situation escalated when the nine gang members decided that knocking on doors in a menacing fashion was an appropriate way to introduce themselves. Brandishing firearms and apparently confusing their local welcome with a scene from an action movie, they repeatedly knocked on one particular apartment door. Residents, accustomed to the perils of moving, were surely not prepared for such a boisterous greeting, especially just two days after relocating from Venezuela.

Two members of the gang, Larry Galbreath and Jordan Green, have since been arrested. Four additional suspects with prior criminal histories were also detained, suggesting that the gang is less of a welcome wagon and more of a traveling circus of misfits.

The local authorities have pointed out that the residents are not alone in facing such gang issues. The Aurora Police Department has received 44 calls related to gang activity at the apartment complex since August 2024. As if a residential hassle weren't enough, it seems that Aurora is facing significant challenges with safety due to activity tied to the Tren de Aragua gang, which has been designated as a global terrorist organization.

Chief Chamberlain's assessment of the situation doesn’t hold back. He likened the Tren de Aragua gang to 'cancer,' which, despite being a serious disease, lacks the right mix of humor to be appropriate in this context. Clearly, he resonates with the urgency of the issue, stating that the police are taking proactive measures to root out this malignant presence from the community. However, calling a gang a 'cancer' could also raise eyebrows. Perhaps ‘that pesky neighbor who hosts wild parties’ would be more fitting.

As local authorities grapple with this menace, the fact remains that a group previously classified as a global terrorist organization has made its way to Aurora. If that doesn’t make you reconsider your housewarming parties, what will? Yet, the police chief reassured the public that they are on high alert and doing everything within their power to ensure that the community can return to living normal lives – without the added jitters of open-door policies.

Amidst this chaos, the party was not entirely one-sided. The harassing incident was reportedly captured on doorbell surveillance video, adding a touch of modern technology to a situation that is anything but progressive. One can only imagine viewing the footage on loop, trying to determine if the harassers were not just misguided individuals in search of their missing package.

Ultimately, Aurora is left with the task of cleaning up a mess created not just by a transitory criminal element but also by the unfortunate circumstances that turned newcomers into targets. The reality is that finding oneself face-to-face with a firearm may be more than an oversight; it's a reason to consider changing your locks.

Yet, through all this, the Aurora community remains tenacious. Local residents are now feeling the urge to band together, possibly turning to a revamped neighborhood watch. Don’t be surprised if the next apartment complex meeting includes a workshop on how to stay safe while also defeating the threat of unsolicited visits from armed strangers. After all, better to be prepared than to be surprised by an unwelcome gang in your living room.

For now, let’s hope the new Venezuelan residents receive a second chance at a proper welcome, perhaps sans the armed door knockers. One would be hard-pressed to find joy in receiving a cake from a gang member while also managing escape routes in the event of an overenthusiastic greeting. Regardless, the Aurora police are working tirelessly to ensure that their community can go back to the mundane challenges of living—like ensuring their Wi-Fi signals are strong and keeping the neighbor's loud music in check.