Tuesday,  March 18 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Clark County News

Vancouver police log from a 100 years ago belies the vision of an ‘idyllic downtown’ without crime

Assault, burglary common offenses both then and now

By Becca Robbins, Columbian staff reporter
Published: December 31, 2024, 6:18am
success iconThis article is available exclusively to subscribers like you.
4 Photos
A page logs the April 30, 1924, arrest of Max Poeths on suspicion of second-degree arson. The page is a part of the Washington State Archives’ Vancouver Police Department photographs of criminals collection.
A page logs the April 30, 1924, arrest of Max Poeths on suspicion of second-degree arson. The page is a part of the Washington State Archives’ Vancouver Police Department photographs of criminals collection. (Washington State Archives) Photo Gallery

Vancouver has changed significantly over the past 100 years, and so has crime here.

In 1920, nearly 13,000 people called Vancouver home. This year, state data shows Vancouver’s population reached 200,000 people. Despite the miniscule population a century ago, archival records show authorities still had crime to fight.

The Washington State Archives maintains a variety of police records, including arrest logs and mugshot books.

Thank you for reading The Columbian.

Subscribe for only $1.99/week to get unlimited access.

Already a subscriber? Sign in right arrow icon
Loading...