Dear editor:
On September 6, 2024, in Cowboy State Daily, I read an article that “concerned” me.
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak was given a prime opportunity to show true leadership regarding a Tren de Aragua Venezuelan gang member being housed in the Laramie County detention center.
Kozak said he is “concerned” about reported Colorado gang violence because “things wind up here eventually.” Well, it appears they already have.
Sheriff Kozak could have responded with strength from a position of power, but that would have required him to be prepared for threats like this beforehand.
We desperately need a sheriff who is ready to confront any situation that comes their way.
The citizens of Laramie County DESERVE to hear, and criminals who intend to do them harm NEED to hear, that the men and women of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office are fully trained, prepared, and equipped to protect the community.
His comments should have conveyed that his office will not tolerate such criminal activity and express confidence in the law-abiding citizens of Laramie County who are armed and capable of protecting themselves.
Overall, he should have delivered an important message loudly and clearly: these violent criminals should think twice before trying it here.
As a retired cop from St. Louis, Missouri, I worked in the most violent parts of town dealing with hardened gang members daily.
I know how to investigate and deal with this type of activity. It has been my experience that if there is one gang member, there are likely more because they don’t usually operate alone.
It’s unclear if Sheriff Kozak has the experience and knowledge to handle these individuals – and furthermore, he might lack the courage.
Yet another comment from Sheriff Kozak that “concerned” me was his assertion that the Aurora Police Department “wasn’t really saying much” when he pressed for more information on local gang activity.
This seems to suggest that he isn’t able to activate the extensive intelligence network he spoke about repeatedly while campaigning that could save lives here in Wyoming.
Incidents like this have been happening in our nation for quite some time – particularly over the past four years with the invasion of illegal immigrants.
It’s high time Kozak becomes informed and develops a plan of action, instead of merely expressing concern.
Part of a Sheriff’s job is simultaneously ensuring the community feels safe, while actually making sure they are safe.
While it’s my opinion Kozak failed at the former, I sincerely hope he doesn’t fail at the latter.
If I was sheriff, my statement would have channeled the sentiment from Jason Aldean’s hit country song - Try that in a Small Town.
Jeff Barnes
Laramie County
Jeff Barnes ran for Laramie County Sheriff in 2022.
