KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It's an issue across Knoxville, but some business owners in West Knoxville are taking it into their own hands.

Letap Hospitality, a developer in Cedar Bluff, says his hotel complex was plagued by homeless people scavenging through the property.

So, they called in a bulldozer.

Raj Patel says the homeless had set up camp outside the former Budget Inns motel on North Cedar Bluff Road.

"It was woods that could not be seen one end to the other, so they were a safe haven for homeless, transient campers and such," says Patel.

Patel says the established homeless camp behind his property was making his property unsafe.

"We've had break-ins, glass, vandalism, and different things that have happened at the property," Patel says. "To have a wooded area that was a center for crime activity, it needed to be addressed."

Several other business owners told Volunteer TV they have experienced problems as well. One restaurant said their tip jar has been stolen four times in two weeks.

Rosa Cruz says she's noticed them outside her work at the Jalisco restaurant.

"I think they live behind the building. I've seen them behind the building sometimes."

Anne French owns Doggone Pretty, the pet grooming shop next door.

"There are homeless people in West Knoxville, no doubt about it," says French. "They have set up camp here."

She says she's warned her employees to be careful about locking doors and other precautions.

"When you're in a business and you're trying to take care of your customers, that's not necessarily what you want is to have a homeless population."

The manager at Cedar Bluff Wine and Spirits says six weeks ago, there was an attempted break-in.

Now Patel says the community is calling for help.

"We definitely don't want them in the backyard because of the safety element. There's a fine line between safety and providing help," he says.

Patel says Letap has donated much of the hotel's furniture to Angelic Ministries in hopes to direct some of the misplaced homeless there.