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Encampment sweep causing more work for local security company

Around 150 people who were living in tents are now looking for a new place to sleep, and a local security company is dealing with the fallout.

DENVER — Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's homeless encampment sweeps continued Wednesday in the city. Around 150 people who were living in tents in the La Alma Lincoln Park area are now looking for a new place to sleep, and a local security company is dealing with the fallout. 

Michelle Hood is the owner of Guardianship Security in Denver. “We have four units which are all on these four corners,” she said. “It's a pretty big property. It's a good four blocks here.”

In the last 24 hours, Hood has had to ramp up security for the people who live in the buildings she helps patrol — all because of something that happened nearby. 

RELATED: Denver sweeps homeless encampment; first time in months city not offering other housing options


"Two blocks down the street that way,” Hood said pointing toward Kalamath Street, an area where a homeless encampment used to be. The City of Denver cleared it out Tuesday as part of a several-day sweep. It's not the first time the city has done this, but it is the first time in six months that they didn't provide housing for the people impacted.

“We know that the mayor has a difficult decision because that is such a large encampment, but this can't be the solution either because all they did is push it right to our responsibility,” Hood said. “Now we’re here making sure that they don't destroy any more of our property, which they've already done."

RELATED: Denver to offer 72-hour migrant sheltering while others already in the city enter intensive, resource-heavy program

Hood shared her team’s security video captured last night. One clip shows a door that was busted open and a sleeping bag that someone left behind. Another clip shows a guard waking a person up who had broken into one of their buildings to find shelter.

“They have nowhere else to go,” Hood said. “Where are they going to go? I just feel bad for the whole situation.”

The mayor’s office said public health and safety concerns prompted the sweep.  

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