Private security team to sweep stubborn Tacoma homeless camp after spate of violence
A private security company has been contracted to conduct a sweep along several private businesses in Tacoma’s Hosmer area on Thursday. The move comes in response to five incidents involving firearms within the past month, including a homicide.
The Hosmer Business Association hired Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions, a veteran-owned security company headquartered at 8717 S. Hosmer Street, to remove anyone loitering or using drugs at several private businesses from South 84th Street to South 96th Street, Tema Woods, the CEO of the security company, told The News Tribune.
Woods said the group was previously tasked with sweeping HomeTowne Studios last year after reports of rampant drug use, prostitution and human trafficking. Woods said 80 percent of that traffic was cleared out in two weeks.
“That property itself on Hosmer was known as one of the worst locations on Hosmer. It was going up for sale, and they couldn’t complete the sale until it was cleared, and they hired us,” he said.
Woods said the HBA is paying his firm $17,000 for the work, but most of it will be done for free. Their operation will begin at 4 p.m. and last until nightfall. The firm will then patrol the area for about 30 days to keep it clear.
“I’ve already spoken with the team, and our guys are willing to put in the work because of our picture of making Hosmer, not only Hosmer, but Tacoma, a better and safer place for everyone is a lot bigger than just the dollar amount,” he said.
The City of Tacoma is not involved with Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions’ Thursday operation, according to a statement from city spokesperson Maria Lee.
“Although the City was not directly involved, the City is aware of the encampment clean-up on private property initiated by the business association and understands the concerns that prompted this action. Homelessness is a complex issue, and the City remains committed to a ‘services first’ approach,” Lee said.
“This approach is founded on compassion and prioritizes connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with the resources they need to find stable housing and support. Our HEAL team has been actively engaged with individuals who reside in encampments along this corridor, offering assistance with shelter options, essential services, and connections to relevant programs,” she said.
About 15 people from the security company will remove loiterers but also offer resources to help those in need, Woods said.
“So if some people are looking to get into housing, we’re bringing those resources. If they’re looking to get into drug treatment, we’re giving those resources, so that way, we’re not just removing them, but giving them an avenue to take a different path and get better,” he said.
They also have resources for those looking for temporary housing, he said. They have had organizers from Tacoma Rescue Mission and MDC Detox Center come down to talk to anyone who needs help.
Woods said if resources are refused, trespassers will be asked to leave the private properties and go somewhere else. He said they try to keep it as peaceful as possible and have been successful in not having to use force against anyone.
“The one who refuse the resources, they will be told they can no longer hang on private property because they’re destroying a lot of those small businesses,” he said.
The Tacoma Police Department will not be there for the sweep, but if the security group needs emergency support, it can call 911, TPD spokeswoman officer Shelbie Boyd told The News Tribune.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is aware of the operation and might check in on the south side of 96th Street, where the unincorporated area begins, to make sure no one is trespassing onto the properties there, according to the department’s spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss.
Woods said there are small businesses on Hosmer that are losing money because people are afraid to come into their parking lots due to the trespassers.
The News Tribune previously reported that the South Hosmer Street area has become rampant with homeless encampments and drug activity.
Brad Johnson, the manager of the Smoke & Beer Mini Mart on South 96th Street and South Hosmer Street, told The News Tribune folks living at the nearby apartments are scared to shop at his convenience store because of loitering and drug activity in the parking lot and in the street, the story said.
Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 22, there were three reported shootings between South 72nd and Hosmer, as well as South 96th and Hosmer. In a fourth incident, shots were not fired, but the situation was labeled as “intimidation with a weapon,” according to the Tacoma Police Department in an email.
Oliver Vaovasa, 26, was fatally shot on Oct. 2. Shots were reported near the 9500 block of South Steele Street, The News Tribune reported. Vaovasa was found injured at the 9600 block of 18th Avenue South near South Hosmer Street. He died from his injuries at a local hospital.
Woods said that Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions is not a typical security company.
“We’ve driven people to detox in our vehicles. We’ve driven people to the emergency rooms in our vehicles, and we’re going to continue to put that work in,” he said.
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
