| Clark County neighborhood crime statistics |
|
 |
|
Click
here to see numbers for all neighborhoods. The
average rate is 124.5 crimes per 1,000 residents,
using a system that totals all crimes with equal weight,
from shoplifting to murder.
Crime rates using state's eight basic crimes
system (2006, crimes per
1,000 residents.) |
| City |
Crimes per
1,000 residents |
| Portland |
52.6 |
| Vancouver |
45.8 |
| Unincorporated Clark County |
24.5 |
| Battle Ground |
34.2 |
| Camas |
32.8 |
| Washougal |
29.7 |
| Ridgefield |
39.7 |
| La Center |
10.4 |
| Seattle |
75.9 |
| Tacoma |
93.9 |
| Spokane |
64.8 |
|
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How safe is your neighborhood?
February 24, 2008
By JOHN BRANTON, Columbian staff writer
Congratulations to two neighborhoods, Old Evergreen Highway and East Old Evergreen Highway! Both located along the Columbia River and south of the BNSF Railway tracks, they were the safest neighborhoods in Clark County last year, based on crime data.
Old Evergreen's rate was 2.4 crimes per 1,000 residents, and East Old's was 7.9.
That's according to data from crime analyst Brian Salsig and Ken Pearrow, who coordinates computer mapping systems for Clark County. Salsig's calculations totaled all crimes, each with the same weight, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 11 of 2007.
Many folks like to check neighborhood crime rates, especially if they are considering moving in. As usual, you don't want to confuse subdivisions with neighborhoods.
To learn which neighborhood association covers your area, call 360-696-8051 for Vancouver's city limits; or 360-397-6012, ext. 5, for unincorporated Clark County.
The crime rates are meaningful, but there are a few caveats.
Don't be put off if a neighborhood with a lot of businesses, notably Van Mall, has a higher-than-average rate. Retail businesses can rack up the shoplifting and bad check reports - and maybe car prowls in their parking lots - but the area is still comparatively safe to live or take a walk in.
Similarly, Esther Short in downtown Vancouver gets high crime rates because the number of people who actually live there (the nighttime population) goes into the calculation.
During the day, however, thousands of outsiders come to Esther Short to visit the courthouse, government offices, shops, eateries and other businesses and the nicely upgraded park.
More people often means more crime.
Calculating Esther Short's rate with a larger estimated daytime population brings it down, still high but closer to average.
A high school can cause a similar effect: more people during the day and maybe more youth-oriented crimes around the campus.
But depending on the school - and with the help of the police - let's hope it's not too hazardous. |
