Tacoma businesses hire security to sweep encampment [Video]

A Tacoma security company is working to change the way Washington does encampment sweeps. Employees believe privatizing this service would lessen the load on local law enforcement and accelerate the process.

The company, Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions, began its first large-scale sweep on Thursday, near the corner of 96th Street and Hosmer.

“When I first came to this area everyone said, ‘Don’t go to Hosmer. You’re going to get killed,’” recalls Tema Woods, the founder of Blue Falcon Tactical.

Hosmer is a Tacoma street with a long-standing history of violence.

“Everything is going on there. From drug use to prostitution to gun violence, human trafficking,” says Woods.

Business owners in the area tell KIRO 7 that the increasing violence at a nearby encampment left them feeling helpless.

“I’ve lost a lot. More than half of my customers, because they fear for their life,” says Yung, who owns Helen’s Barber Shop. …