Friday Mar. 6, 2020 | View in browser
Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights
In the Squad Room - The Subject Was: COVID-19
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
 When a mobile phone doesn't sufficiently distract you while driving.
According to the Traffic Bureau, using a laptop while driving is not only incompatible but kind of an extreme form of Distracted Driving. Luckily for other motorists and pedestrians, a traffic cop spotted the multi-tasking driver on 3.2. Minimum fine: $164. Maximum fine: $329.
One look at the This Week’s Crime map below tells you it was another quiet week. There were three motor vehicle break-ins, one car theft, a package theft and a stolen bicycle. There were a couple of notable incidents, including a traffic stop that escalated into multiple charges for the offender. Details follow on those.
Response to recent developments and fears surrounding the Coronavirus took center stage. Chief Cook requested that a member of the Health Department attend weekly roll calls during the next week to update officers on evolving developments and safety practices associated with the novel virus. Sharon Johnson, Acting Deputy City Manager, in attendance at the meeting, reported that an information session for City staff on COVID-19 is planned, along with a community outreach event. (See Inquiring Minds at the end of this post for current information and reliable sources on the virus.)
Click to enlarge
Deployment Meeting – March 4, 2020
- 0n 2/29, a 2004 Toyota was reported stolen from the 1000 block of Cleveland.
- Sign of Spring: An unsecured bike was taken from a parking lot in the 3300 block of Central.
- On 3/2, a burglar used a knife or screwdriver in an attempt to break into a side window in the 2100 block of Howard.
- In what has become a common M.O., a package was stolen from an apartment common area in the 1700 block of Ridge on 3.2.
- On 3/2, Chicago resident Johnel Washington took resisting arrest to a new level when, after cops observed a 9mm Taurus handgun in his vehicle in a routine traffic stop in the 2300 block of Howard, he rammed the squad car before fleeing on foot. He was apprehended. Charges included Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
- There were three motor vehicle burglaries during the period and this time; two of them were to locked cars. On 2/28, a 2006 Nissan’s window was broken on Elmwood near Washington to steal a musical instrument. On 2/29, the window of a 2012 Volkswagen was broken in the 2600 block of Reese. It doesn’t appear that anything was taken. Finally, nothing was taken from an unlocked Jeep in the 400 block of Lee between 3/2 and 3/3.
- Javier Montoya was arrested for an incident that occurred on 2/12, when he harassed, then spit on an elderly volunteer at a house of worship. He was charged with Aggravated Battery on 3/3.
- According to Assistant Communications Coordinator Kuempel, there were no TipSubmit (formerly Text-a-Tip) texts this week.
- During the past week, in addition to leading safety and security sessions, PST (Problem Solving Team) members were in attendance at: the CPA (Citizen Police Academy) kickoff, Police Explorers, 1st, 8th Ward, West End Block Club and Foster Senior Club meetings. They also monitored an Illinois Environmental Council panel with state officials at the Ecology Center and a Beth Emet panel on Anti-Semitism. Animal Warden Pounds issued a compliance ticket for a dog off leash. PST officers interceded in a landlord/tenant situation.
The week ahead
- On the PST agenda: A CPA (Citizen Police Academy) meeting and NU Basketball with members of the OGA (Officer & Gentlemen Academy). Requested active shooter (ALICE) trainings and safety/security assessments continue. PST will continue to address homeless issues and panhandling complaints in the downtown area as well as providing additional support for patrol operations and special details.
- The Custer Fair may be gone, but plans are afoot for a Pride Parade on Main Street, from Dodge to Chicago Avenue, in June. The tentative date is 6/7.
Inquiring minds: What is the EPD doing to prepare for the COVID-19 crisis?
 Image: Center for Disease Control
Sgt. Levy, from the EPD’s Office of Professional Standards, has the answer:
“Recently, there have been inquiries and concerns relating to the media barrage about the Coronavirus. Here's some information on behalf of EPD - but first, here’s a response from the Director of the City of Evanston Health and Human Services Department, Ike Ogbo:
‘We are currently monitoring the situation closely. We are working with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Center for Disease Control and Northshore University HealthSystem in the event that we have any cases.’
On 1/30, the EPD ordered as many respirator masks as we were able (the total was nearly 800). The masks were recommended by EFD and medical supply companies (Fluidshield 3 N95 Particulate Filter Respirator and Surgical Masks). At the time the order was placed, the demand was greater than the supply. We will begin distributing the masks when our order arrives.
(Editor’s note: It’s important to keep in mind that the masks should be worn by individuals showing symptoms of the illness in an effort to reduce spreading of the novel virus. Symptoms include, according to the CDC, fever, cough and shortness of breath.)
Below are links to articles that I have found useful - information about Coronavirus from OSHA, the CDC informational page on Coronavirus, and an article from Officer.com specific to the Coronavirus and Law Enforcement. For the police, the overall consensus is to maintain practices already in place relating to Personal Protective Equipment - cleaning hands with sanitizer/soap, wearing masks and gloves when needed, and remaining at home upon first signs of illness.
I have spoken to both the City's Health and Human Services Department and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, and there are no immediate action recommendations from either agency for Law Enforcement.”
CONSULT THESE RELIABLE SOURCES
General Information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Workplace/Law Enforcement
https://www.officer.com/on-the-street/article/21123732/the-2019-ncov-coronavirus-what-law-enforcement-police-officers-should-know-about-the-2019ncov-coronavirus
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
Got an Inquiring Minds question for In The Squad Room? Email it to Commander Garner and we’ll do our best to provide the answer in a future issue. If you put In The Squad Room in the subject line, your question will find its way to me.
Learn about the Evanston Police Explorer Program
Thursday, March 12 at 6 PM
Fire Department Training Room
909 Lake Street
The Evanston Police Department is hosting a Police Explorer kick-off event on Thursday, March 12th at 6 PM in the Fire Department Training Room at 909 Lake Street. We are seeking Evanston high school students in grades 9-12 who maintain at least a “C” average to meet us and learn about our exciting plans for the coming year. Parents are also welcome, and snacks will be provided.
The Explorer Program offers Evanston youth interested in Law Enforcement an opportunity to learn directly from officers, offering them a first-hand, close-up look at life as a police officer. The program is comprised of a classroom-style curriculum coupled with hands-on activities, including traffic stops, mock crime scene investigations and ride-alongs. A community service component is another aspect of the program, where Explorers volunteer to participate in local community events.
The program meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, year-round with a modified summer schedule. Explorers are expected to attend regularly and participate in all activities.
Sgt. Scott Sophier, a 17-year veteran of the Evanston Police Department, was a police explorer in the Village of Skokie during high school. He now serves as a Lead Advisor of EPD's Explorer Post 1863. Several other EPD officers also participated in explorer programs during their teen years.
"Exploring was a great opportunity to learn about leadership, community service, teamwork, and responsibility”, he says. “Those positive traits were reflected while applying to college, and moving forward into the workforce. I'm grateful for the experience and would encourage any high schooler interested in our profession to come out and learn more about the police explorer program."
For answers to your questions – or to sign up for the Police Explorer Kick-Off Event on March 12 - email Sgt. Sophier.
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.
 What would you like to know about what the Evanston Police Department is doing to fight crime? Let us know if you have specific questions or concerns about issues in your neighborhood. Submissions are always welcome at police@cityofevanston.org or by calling the community strategies bureau at 847-866-5019.
Subscribe to Evanston’s Daily Crime Report by email or view the Monthly Crime Statistics that are reported on a yearly basis to the FBI.
 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.
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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