The San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association has recently issued a cautionary statement to nearly 1,800 of its firefighter and paramedic members, urging them to remain vigilant in the face of potential threats from the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. According to a Wednesday email disclosed by KSAT, union president Joe Jones emphasized the importance for first responders to "keep their heads on a swivel and watch your six," especially when operating in the north-central region of San Antonio. This follows claims by city officials alleging the absence of "no credible threat to public safety" despite the union's concern over activities in Battalion 5's southern jurisdiction.
Firefighters and paramedics have been on heightened alert as their uniforms, which resemble those of the San Antonio police, could lead to dangerous misinterpretations, as Jones explained in a statement yesterday, as reported by WOAI. The concern is particularly pronounced in locations just north of the city's Migrant Resource Center on San Pedro Avenue, where fire stations 17 and 31 typically operate. Additional measures have been put in place, such as requiring two-person squad or EMS crews to be accompanied by a heavy truck to potentially safeguard against these risks.
Despite the absence of an official warning within the department, Jones pointed to the "goes back to boots on the ground" intelligence that confirmed the gang's activities, as mentioned by KSAT. These insights have been gathered through discussions with members at the affected fire stations and from 'other jurisdictions,' as Jones said. It is understood that dispatch notes are being used, indicating safety-in-numbers tactics without openly acknowledging the concerns tied to Tren de Aragua.
The Tren de Aragua gang, which has roots in Venezuelan prisons, has garnered attention at both the state and national level. "We know they're here. But this is concentrated presence. This is concentrated, increased activity," Jones told KSAT. The threat level has risen to such an extent that Gov. Greg Abbott last month declared a crackdown on the gang, followed by the arrest of two individuals by Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio for alleged connections to the gang's gunrunning activities.
Inquires have been sent to city representatives, the San Antonio Police Department, and the San Antonio Fire Department seeking further enlightenment on the extent of Tren de Aragua's activities and the strategies being implemented to address the situation. The SAPD provided a statement that did not specifically mention the gang by name or detail any particular countermeasures being taken.
