Police Chief Declares War on Women
A sweeping raid by Tacoma's Chief of Police forcibly targets Black women, marking the start of a local purge.
“Disorderly colored wenches must go.” This is the latest order issued by Chief Malony. Already the raid has been commenced, and this morning there were five of the women registered at Malony’s hostelry. George Logan is the star boarder, and has paid in advance for days. Eva Clark stands second with a receipt good for 12 days, while Edna Forrest and Eva Lamont, who arrived only last night, have not as yet been assigned. Lush Hill, who was given a meal ticket good for five days yesterday, left this morning for Seattle, with the understanding that her return here will mean an enforced stay at the city jail boarding house.
“Disorderly colored wenches must go.”
This reflects the systemic targeting of Black residents in early 20th-century Tacoma, illustrating how police power was frequently used to enforce racial exclusion. It serves as a grim reminder of the city's history of displacement and the use of 'vagrancy' laws to criminalize the presence of Black citizens.
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