The streets of Tacoma's Hosmer neighborhood have become a focal point for concern as business owners confront rising public safety issues. Following the recent shooting death of 26-year-old Oliver Vaovasa, the local business community has resolved to take action, reportedly hiring a private security company to address the surge in homelessness, drug use, and crime. As KING5 reported, the Hosmer Business Association is spearheading this initiative to reclaim their streets.
Business owners on Hosmer Street have experienced an intense period of disruption. According to The News Tribune, Blue Falcon Tactical Solutions, the security company in question, has a history of "sweeping" areas burdened with crime. The group saw success last year when it was hired to clear the HomeTowne Studios site, where it reportedly reduced unwanted activity by 80 percent. The aim of these operations is to facilitate the sale of properties and improve the neighborhood's safety and economy.
In the context of these "sweeps," there is a narrative of concern mixed with determination. Kevin Woods, an outreach worker with the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, expressed ambivalence about the tactics. He acknowledged the neighborhood's troubles but simultaneously called for a more compassionate approach to solving them. "It's understandable but I think there needs to be a better approach to trying to help people," Woods told KOMO News.
Before their sweep, Blue Falcon Tactical worked to connect individuals with housing providers, detox facilities, and other outreach services. In a statement obtained by KOMO News, a representative of the company outlined their intentions: "We can secure this entire area for the 30 days, alleviate the police of coming down here to deal with lower-level crimes, and then we can show how this model works." The company's mission is not merely to clean up but to establish a safer environment, "allowing kids to be able to get up and actually be able to go out and walk to the bus stop without having to walk through a cloud of fentanyl or worry about, are they going to be shot."
The business owners along Hosmer Street appear committed to restoring a sense of normalcy and safety to their neighborhood. By investing in private security, they hope to push back against the tide of crime that has been impeding their community's well-being and prosperity. As these efforts unfold, Tacoma watches on, caught between the dual imperatives of public safety and social compassion.
