Lakewood City Council Addresses Resident Concerns over the Migrant Situation in Neighboring Denver
During Monday night's session, the Lakewood City Council took the opportunity to address the concerns expressed by residents regarding the migrant situation in neighboring Denver. The council sought to provide clarity on the city's involvement and assure citizens that Lakewood is not being solicited for housing the new arrivals.
A report presented by the city manager emphasized that Lakewood is not being approached to accommodate the influx of migrants. Instead, city officials encouraged residents to volunteer or donate to help alleviate the crisis. The council had previously met with Denver officials, which had sparked rumors and speculation about Lakewood's potential involvement in providing aid to migrants.
While cities like Lakewood, Aurora, and Colorado Springs have taken certain measures such as opening shelters or providing monetary assistance to arriving immigrants, concerns among residents are genuine. They have witnessed the impact on Denver, where vital city services have been cut to allocate funds for the increasing costs associated with supporting indigent migrants.
Fox News' Alicia Acuna reports the latest on the surge from Denver, Colorado. (FOX News)
Denver has provided assistance to approximately 38,505 new immigrants who have arrived since late 2022, expending around $42 million on temporary shelter and other services. However, it is important to note that a significant number of these new immigrants have chosen to relocate to other cities, including Aurora, where a coalition of nonprofits has stepped in to provide services. On February 9, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced temporary cuts to certain city services in order to fund the response to the immigration situation.
Residents expressing their concerns view their opposition as preemptive, with an emphasis on proactive measures to deter individuals from migrating, such as increasing policing efforts in Lakewood. During public comments and interviews outside the council chambers, many individuals voiced fears about crime rates, the strain on public services, and the impact on housing availability.
Despite the concerns raised, there was also a smaller but equally passionate group of residents who showed up to support homeless services and advocate for compassionate treatment of new immigrants. Some individuals even wore monarch butterfly pins and capes, symbolizing migration.
READ MORE:
LAKEWOOD RESIDENTS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY FROM CITY COUNCIL OVER MIGRANT HOUSING CONCERNS
SAFETY CONCERNS ARISE AS UNSKILLED MIGRANTS ATTEMPT TO WASH WINDSHIELDS IN DENVER
GOVERNOR POLIS' ILL-CONCEIVED PLAN FOR ‘AFFORDABLE HOUSING’ IN COLORADO
Sandie Weathers, the daughter of an immigrant from Mexico, shared her perspective, stating that the newcomers are simply seeking survival. She acknowledged concerns about taxpayer money expenditure but argued that the United States bears some responsibility for the circumstances that have compelled people to leave their home countries.
In the future, the Lakewood City Council will vote on whether to continue discussions with Denver regarding the migrant situation. This decision will be crucial in determining the extent of Lakewood's involvement and the measures it may take to address the concerns raised by its residents. The council remains committed to representing the interests of its citizens while considering the broader implications of the ongoing migrant crisis.
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