Tacoma sees drop in violent crime, but residents near 'hot spot' still feel unsafe

TACOMA, Wash. — An effort to counter violent crime in Tacoma is leading to fewer reports of shootings, stabbings, and assaults overall, but the police department’s added emphasis along South Hosmer Street has yet to make a difference for most neighbors.

“I’ve just felt not safe, you know,” said Ramazan Mamatov, who works on South Hosmer. “It’s just not great for businesses on this street."

People in the areas near the intersection of South Hosmer Street and South 86th Street said they still hear gunfire and some still fear for their safety.

“I've heard gunshots, but it's not common,” said Scott Johnson, who works nearby. “If I see something, I say something. It's what we've got to do."

However, some shop owners, or their employees, said they don’t always report crimes, either because police are slow to respond or because it leads to retaliation against their businesses like smashed windows or other property damage.

“We used to always call the cops but last time we did that, they just came and smashed our window, so I just don't even bother calling anymore,” Mamatov said. “I can see why people might not be reporting the crimes because last time we called, it took them 30 minutes, and there was a guy with a gun outside."

The most recent citywide data shows violent crime is down 4.9% compared to this same time period last year, which includes a 50% drop in homicides and a 3.6% decrease in assaults.

Tacoma’s Violent Crime Reduction Plan launched in July 2022, and its approach focuses on evidence-based solutions to fighting crime.

It started with an increase in police visibility in targeted areas and then transitioned into focusing on the root causes of crime. That transition has included traditional police enforcement efforts being coupled with code enforcement, nuisance abatement, and environmental design changes. Other crime reduction efforts from police are graffiti abatement, trash clean up, and abandoned vehicle removal.

The city will launch the same crime reduction strategies at a second site along Puyallup Avenue South near the Tacoma Dome in the coming weeks.