First-time Republican voter, Sarah Dawson, was once an Aurora, Colorado apartment resident. But a rising wave of crime related to international gangs led her to relocate. An unexpected political transformation followed. ‘I’m setting my vote squarely in the Republican camp,’ Dawson shared in an exclusive with Global Post. ‘I plan to stick to this course so long as it takes for this issue to be addressed. My children should not be the potential casualties of such a crisis.’
Sarah and her husband made Aurora their home for just over four years. Throughout that span, they became increasingly aware of the escalating crime and violence within their neighborhood. Their safe haven had morphed into a place they could barely recognize. Queries about safety entered their everyday conversations.
Their home security system caught numerous disturbing events on camera, a sight Dawson could barely stomach. It recorded men assumed to be part of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, storming a neighboring household. Reports of gunfights pouring in from different corners of the complex became all too common. And one unforgettable day, a stray bullet found its way to Dawson’s vehicle.
Sarah recalls that their attempts at seeking help from the law enforcement went mostly unanswered. Often, the response to her urgent 911 calls was underwhelming. A beam of support came through during these challenging times in the form of Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky. She aided the Dawson family in their move in August, a transition that took them half an hour away from their former residence.
Sarah continues to carry concerns about her friends and family who are still in Aurora. Fears of the infiltrating gang activity impacting their lives persist in her mind. ‘This permeation of these individuals – I’m not pointing at immigrants necessarily, for there are countless immigrants here lawfully and doing good. It’s the infiltration of the wrong crowd, equipped with firearms, that we must stop letting continue,’ explains Dawson.
Her ordeal hasn’t gone unnoticed. It peaked the interest of a campaign, leading to Dawson featuring on stage at a recent Aurora rally. ‘We have got to pave the way forward,’ she urged the assembled community.
Speaking about her time on the podium, Dawson remarked it was ‘quite surreal.’ She noted upon the reluctance of many in her immediate circle to render support. ‘The willingness to help or believe wasn’t quite there when I reached out to those I believed would come to my aid. I was countered with doubt and discreditation,’ Dawson shared with the Global Post.
The portrayal of Venezuelan gangs in the Denver region has been misleading, Sarah claims. She mentions how the media and governmental agencies have downplayed, if not entirely nullified, their menacing presence. The discrepancy between different media coverages caught Dawson off-guard. ‘I never took note of such a stark divide in media narratives,’ she remarked.
According to Dawson, some media have gone as far as to dismiss the issue altogether or misrepresent it as an isolated incident. However, the right-leaning segment of the population has lent her support in a manner she couldn’t have expected before.
Looking back on the recent events, Dawson expresses her gratitude. ‘I’ve been welcomed into discussions and meetings. This meant the world to me, particularly at a time when belief in my words was hard to come by. It seems, as of now, they’re the ones openly acknowledging the situation and providing support. It means more than words can express, and it impacts you – deeply altering your perspective and feelings.’