TACOMA, Wash. — The city of Tacoma is removing its 25th encampment this year on Tuesday, city officials confirmed to KIRO 7.
Multiple residents and volunteers were expecting crews to arrive at 37th Street and South Tacoma Way/Union Avenue on Tuesday morning, citing confusion on when exactly the removal would begin.
“I thought they were going to come today because they said the 11th,” Seth, a camper who saw notices alerting residents of the planned removal, said on Tuesday.
“That’s kind of how it is out here. Everything’s kind of uncertain,” said Cameron, an encampment resident.
Cameron, Seth, and other residents said they’ve been swept from other encampments before. All were expecting a morning removal because that’s what they’ve experienced before.
A city spokesperson tells KIRO 7 there are other removals occurring on Tuesday, so the removal on Union Avenue was scheduled for later in the afternoon.
The removals are conducted by the city’s Homeless Engagement Alternatives Liaison (HEAL).
HEAL is also in the process of removing an encampment on North Levee Road.
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