SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association is warning its members to “turn their heads up and watch their bodies” amid concerns about a Venezuelan gang operating in the “north-central” area of ​​the city.

“Despite the city’s assertion that there is no credible threat to public safety, we have numerous safety concerns regarding ongoing operations in the southern portion of 5-0 (Battalion 5),” SAPFFA President Joe Jones wrote in an email, which KSAT received on Wednesday The union’s nearly 1,800 members are firefighters and paramedics.

Asked about the warning Thursday, Jones told KSAT that the buttoned uniforms of firefighters and paramedics could resemble those of police in San Antonio and it would be easy for someone to “misinterpret” the presence of the unarmed first responders and use force on them .

He also confirmed that the gang in question was Tren de Aragua, a gang that began in Venezuela’s prisons and gained increasing state and national attention.

Gov. Greg Abbott said last month that the state was targeting the gang, and Homeland Security Investigations announced a few days later that it had arrested two people in San Antonio allegedly connected to the gang’s shootings.

“We know they are here. But that is concentrated presence. This is focused, heightened activity,” Jones said.

Jones said he didn’t want to jeopardize ongoing police activity, but generally described concerns about certain apartments “just a few blocks north” of the city’s Migrant Resource Center on San Pedro Avenue, in an area where fire stations 17 and 17 are located 31 respond normally.

Jones said the union confirmed the activity through conversations with members at fire stations “at the epicenter” and from “I would say ‘other jurisdictions.'”

The union president said firefighters had already informed each other unofficially about the gang activity, but “it was not disseminated within the department.” As if they had not issued or issued an official safety alert or warning order of any kind.”

Operation sheets are attached to the respective locations, he said, which stipulate that two-person teams or rescue workers must be accompanied by a heavy truck, apparently to ensure the number of rescue workers.

Although such notes are relatively common, Jones said the union’s certainty that it is related to Tren de Aragua “comes from work on the ground.”

KSAT reached out to spokespeople for the city, San Antonio Police Department and San Antonio Fire Department on Thursday and requested an interview about the extent of Tren de Aragua’s activity in the city and how it is being handled.

SAPD responded with a statement that did not identify the gang by name or specific actions.

“Suspected and known gang activity in the San Antonio area is investigated by SAPD. Coordination with the SAFD is part of our daily work. SAPD is taking and will continue to take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of the public and our first responders. We work closely with local, state and federal authorities to identify threats and develop strategic responses aimed at reducing gang influence and protecting our city’s residents. Public safety is our top priority.”

SAPD Public Information Office

Also read: