Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights
In the Squad Room - Strange Days Indeed
Every week, Linda Hansen attends the Evanston Police Department’s deployment meetings, takes notes on various topics, and writes about other police-related matters of interest to ordinary citizens like her.
This Week's Highlights
 Special patrols have been deployed at Jewish congregations throughout Evanston in the wake of the recent event in Pittsburgh
Breathe easy, Evanstonians. It was another week of Low Crime, even lower than last week. This meant that not only was it a short deployment meeting, but much of what was covered involved ongoing investigations, incidents beyond our borders and general intel concerning nefarious gang members and their potential actions and reactions. In other words, the kinds of topics that don’t leave the Squad Room for a civilian like me.
Analyst Ring summed up the week’s activities in true In The Squad Room style – two residential burglaries, one package theft and one bike theft.
Toward the end of the meeting, Chief Eddington struck a philosophical yet tactical note related to the Tree of Life shooting. The world is, indeed, a different place than it was a few years ago. It used to be once shooters were confronted by law enforcement they would take their own lives or surrender, the threat was over. Now shooters keep shooting and fighting, even in the presence of police officers and SWAT teams, the threat continues. The willingness for shooters to continue their fight when confronted by law enforcement is a change we need to be aware of and prepare for.
Correction: Here is a note of apology to Evanston resident, improviser, screenwriter and actor Tim Kazurinsky. Last week’s ITSR accidentally referred to you as Ted Kazurinsky.
This Week’s sparse Crime Map below reflects the dearth of criminal activity during the six-day period.
Now the rest of the news.
Weekly Crime Map
Click to enlarge
Deployment Meeting – October 30 , 2018
Discussed at the meeting:
- On 10/29, a vehicle parked in the 1400 block of Foster had its tires slashed and side mirrors shattered. Sugar crystals were also visible near the gas tank.
- Lock doors and windows, please. During the daytime hours on 10/26, a burglar entered a residence in the 2500 block of Eastwood through an open window in the bathroom and made off with Mac devices, credit cards, jewelry and stereo equipment. There was an unsuccessful attempt the day before in the 800 block of Brummel, when a crook tried and failed to force a door.
- On 10/26, Chicago resident Joshua Reizner was arrested by the EPD in the 2800 block of Lunt as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. A search of his residence resulted in the seizure of two weapons, 90 grams of weed, MDMA (Ecstasy) pills and drug paraphernalia. He has been charged with several felonies.
- We heard the sirens: Two men were wounded, one of them critically, in a shooting the afternoon of 10/28 in Rogers Park. The victims were in the 1700 block of West Jonquil when someone opened fire, police said. One victim told investigators a passenger in a four-door sedan fired the shots. He was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in critical condition; the other’s condition was stabilized after he showed up in the ER.
- Communications Coordinator Curt Kuempel noted these Text-a-Tips this week: a complaint involving a moving truck and a report of a wheelchair-bound individual screaming at strangers. Cops called to both scenes resolved the situations.
- According to Chief Eddington, the monitoring of temples and mosques will continue through the midterm elections and for several weeks after.
- Porch pirates took a package from the common area of a residential building in the 800 block of Hinman on 10/25. Documenting the incident, law enforcement noted, “Took delivered packages and were probably disappointed to find it was cat food.” Cops believe they have identified a person of interest.
- The owner of an unlocked Honda parked near Sheridan and Keeney reported that USC (unsecured cash) was taken.
- The only bike theft reported involved a bike secured to a bike rack in the 1600 block of Benson on 10/23.
- Events and meetings for the Problem Solving Team, events first: CPA, Project Bridge sessions and bike enforcement with the Traffic Bureau downtown. They also monitored the off-campus area as well at Ryan Field during last weekend’s NU/Wisconsin football game, participated in Destiny Bridge and Police Explorers meetings, and attended 3rd and 9th Ward meetings.
The Week Ahead
- Once again, large crowds are expected for the sold-out 11.3 NU/Notre Dame football game. Kickoff is at 6:15 PM.
- Upcoming events for the PST: In addition to the expected CPA, Destiny Bridge and Police Explorers sessions, officers will be helping out at the Farmers Market and the NU/Notre Dame game.
Inquiring Minds
Inquiring Minds: What is the EPD’s Five-O Fitness and how can I sign up?
No Donuts served here
Modeled after the department's "Coffee with a Cop" series, "Five-O Fitness" provides a casual setting for community members to meet police officers and build community relationships. The program, created by EPD Officers Howard and DeLeon, includes a 60-minute workout followed by healthy eating tips and an opportunity to hang out and work out with cops. The events are hosted at local gyms to highlight services provided by local fitness instructors.
The inaugural "Five-0 Fitness" event took place at Main Event Boxing & Fitness at 2306 Main Street on 10/6. The officers partnered with two local fitness instructors, Albert Ferguson of The Fitness Matrix and Andrian Mochurad of Main Event Boxing. More than 35 participants including EPD officers, community members (and Evanston's Mayor Steve Hagerty) attended. The 60-minute workout included boxing, self-defense tactics, functional strength, and conditioning training.
I asked Officer Howard about the origin of the name "Five-O". According to him, it may be a nod to the classic 70s "Hawaii 5-0” cop show (where Jack Lord’s blow-dried hair always looked perfect). In that show, 50 was the number of the police unit and probably a reference to Hawaii as our 50th state.
The next session is already in the planning stages. The cost of the program is $10, payable at the event. For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.
Gun Buyback Program
 The Ongoing Gun Buyback Program allows Evanston residents to turn in an operational firearm to police at any time in exchange for $100. Residents can utilize this service by calling 311 or the Evanston Police Department non-emergency line at 847-866-5000. A police officer will pick up the unwanted firearm at the resident's address and present the resident with a voucher that can be exchanged for $100 at the City Collector’s Office located in the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Firearms should not be brought to the police department, unless prior approval has been granted from a supervisor at the police department. An officer will call the resident after a request is made for the officer to come to a person's residence and retrieve the firearm.
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Crime Reports
Citizen Police Academy
 If you would like to learn more about the Evanston Police Department, take an active role in community-oriented policing, and join the ranks of over 900 graduates since 1995, please visit the Citizen Police Academy webpage.
There is no cost to anyone who lives or works in Evanston. Getting to know your police force is essential in reducing crime, building trust in the community and serving the needs of the community.
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The weekly deployment report is an informational bulletin prepared by a community member that keeps citizens informed about what police do on a weekly basis. Information contained in this report is not to be considered as a media/press release. Any information considered by a media source from this bulletin needs to be verified by an official from the department. This can be done by contacting the media line at 847-866-5026.
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