Friday Apr. 24, 2020   |   View in browser

Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights

Who to Call When the Police Need to Call the Police

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.

NORTAF Forensic Specialist Unit

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That’s how Detective Spells, then Officer Spells, referred to the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) back when I was a member of the Citizen Police Academy’s Class 39. He was explaining the deployment of emergency service teams to Evanston.

Turns out, I learned this week, that there are three other entities that get involved when the EPD needs to call for reinforcements.  These mutual aid organizations provide specialized services – emergency service teams, homicide investigations, riot control, major crash investigations, bomb threats, responses to natural disasters and other tasks – by pooling resources across jurisdictions. 

In addition to paying membership fees, police departments assign their own officers to train and participate in these emergency special forces. It’s a ‘neighbor helping neighbors’ concept that also brings state-of-the art practices and resources to smaller police departments.

In addition to NIPAS, EPD mutual aid partners include The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF).

Here’s who they are, what they do, along with comments from some of Evanston’s finest who have served on their teams.  

ILEAS - The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System

ILEAS was founded in response to the September 11th attacks. Today, it has over 900 member agencies throughout the state and provides disaster and mutual aid response for public safety, acts of terrorism and homeland security. When an incident occurs, local jurisdictions are alerted by a designated Incident Commander and EPD officers, based on available staffing, are dispatched to render aid.  

Christopher Voss, Assistant Communications Coordinator, 21 years with the EPD

“As Assistant Communications Coordinator, I can explain the role that the Communications Center plays in mutual aid requests.  Here’s how it works:

In the event an Incident Commander requests an ILEAS or NIPAS call out, telecommunicators contact Northwest Central Dispatch in Arlington Heights.  We provide information that includes: the requesting agency, the name and contact information of the person authorizing the request, the nature and level of the request (known as a ‘car plan’), staging areas, radio frequency and any other special instructions.  The request can then be tracked via an online portal provided by ILEAS.”

MCAT - Major Crash Assistance Team

MCAT, a unit of NORTAF, conducts reconstructions of fatal or near-fatal traffic crashes that occur within Evanston and eleven surrounding north suburbs.  Team members use technical information to determine the factors and events of the entire crash. A team of forensic specialists (evidence technicians) and crash specialists comprise MCAT, working together to locate evidence that will lead to a forensic analysis of crash data.

Daniel Keeler Officer, Traffic Bureau, 12 years with the EPD

"I have a math and science background and the use of geometry, trig and physics in crash reconstruction is part of what drew me toward this field.  In addition to the basic crash investigation class that everyone takes at the police academy, I’ve taken a number of advanced level classes, both at NU Center for Public Safety and some other training sites.  I am certified by the State as a Crash Reconstructionist and was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic and Accident Reconstruction a couple of years ago.  I am always looking for additional training in this field.  The more advanced vehicles become, the more complex these investigations can get.

We can get called out in excess of 20 times a year; we’ve had two activations so far for 2020.

I enjoy using my math and science background to serve the community as part of MCAT. Crash reconstruction is kind of like a puzzle.  We’re using vehicle and roadway evidence, along with math and science, to put the pieces back together and figure out what happened.”       

Scott Sophier Sergeant, Communities Strategies, 17 years with the EPD

“I have run the MCAT team for the past five years. Although difficult, what’s most memorable to me is meeting with family members of those killed in these tragic incidents. Our conclusions provide answers and closure that family members desperately seek after the loss of a loved one. It’s an honor to be able to share this information in an empathetic and caring manner.”

NIPAS - Northern Illinois Police Alarm System

In 1982, severe flooding nearly devastated several small communities along the North Shore. Public safety resources, especially those of law enforcement agencies, were stretched to the limit. The following year, chiefs of 15 police departments in northern Cook and southern Lake counties established NIPAS through an intergovernmental mutual aid agreement. The system has grown to include law enforcement agencies of over 100 cities, villages, and towns in five counties.

Anna Ostap Officer, Patrol Bureau, 17 years with the EPD

“I’m responsible for two doctors, four paramedics and two emergency medical technicians. We’re referred to as ‘SWAT medics’. We operate under the standard operating procedures of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

The WMD element is very complex. NIPAS EST is a regional SWAT team; therefore we have WMD response capability. The entire team is trained with numerous WMD tactics, equipment, and procedures such as WMD suits, respirators, and meters/monitors. The WMD response is only for tactical situations -  for instance, an armed/barricaded subject with a threatening chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive weapon.

There are several memorable experiences during my time with NIPAS.  One of the most significant was working with the DEA on an operation.  Our team orchestrated alongside their team and executed two simultaneous WMD search warrants of fictitious pharmacies. The investigation resulted in seizing a tremendous amount of illegal and hazardous drugs.”

NORTAF - North Regional Major Crimes Task Force

Established in 1997, it’s a standing task force available for the investigation of major crimes including homicides and non-parental kidnappings that occur in those communities. Its mission is to assist police departments with major crime investigations and includes collecting evidence, identifying suspects, arresting, filing appropriate charges, and working within the criminal court system. The task force is made up of 13 North Shore communities.

Jason Garner Commander, Community Strategies, 20 years with the EPD

“In addition to patrol duties, I’ve spent a large part of my career in an investigative capacity, both as a juvenile and adult detective.  My work as a detective and sergeant provided me the opportunity to serve on the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, both as an Investigator and then as a Team Leader, each for several years. Upon an activation, members gather together and work as a team to assist the involved agency.

You’re always on call.  Once activated, circumstances of the case dictate your hours, your days or nights, and how long the investigation lasts.  I experienced this unpredictability as an investigator, driving out of town with a team to try to intercept a suspect on a moment’s notice.  As a supervisor, I had to assign a pair of investigators on a task that was near the Canadian border, and let’s just say there wasn’t time to pack.  

Mostly, I remember my experiences with the people involved.  My coworkers were skilled, dedicated, and had a tremendous work ethic.  Meeting people whose lives were changed forever by those cases; I’ll never forget.”  

Michael Jones Detective, Detective Bureau, 13 years with the EPD

“I’ve been with NORTAF for about eight years. We handle most major crimes -  homicides, kidnapping and serious sexual assaults. We are called out on a pager-type system.  For instance, if Skokie has a call out, NORTAF will contact detectives from its 13 agencies.  Agencies will respond, come up with a game plan and work the case.

We are most often called out on murder investigations. A typical call-out (request for assistance) is a commitment of anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The circumstances of the case determine the length of the call-out. NORTAF deactivates when most of the case work is completed; then the primary responsibility for the case remains with the host agency.

NORTAF will always attempt to bring a disposition to every case. And if it’s an Evanston case, our own NORTAF-assigned detective has the primary responsibility for the case (with additional EPD detectives assisting), so any hand-offs are seamless. NORTAF is there to provide support to our detectives."

Amin Virani Detective, Juvenile Bureau, 8 years with the EPD

“I’ve been assigned to NORTAF for about 3 1/2 years. Our forensics team is responsible for processing crime scenes when a homicide or suspicious death has taken place.

One memorable experience was a homicide that happened last January. There was fresh snow on the ground and, as expected for a Chicago winter, we were in subzero temperatures. We were deployed in the middle of the night and the scene spanned over a block long (which is very large for an outdoor scene).

Our NORTAF truck, which we planned to use to warm up, was parked in the middle of the block. Extremely cold temperatures aren't kind to the batteries for our electronics. Our cameras and flashlights were failing. We decided to pull our own vehicles next to the outside perimeter of the crime scene so that we could use them to warm ourselves and our equipment without having to walk the block back to our NORTAF truck.

We spent 12 hours together on this scene in subzero temperatures on the first day. Part of the evidence gathering included shoveling snow and sifting through it for evidence using a large sieve. That’s the kind of dedication it can take to gather evidence in helping to solve a homicide.”

And others …

In a less structured way, as situations arise, the EPD sometimes calls upon neighboring police departments for backup and assistance. This can occur when incidents cross borders, offenders are fleeing the scene, investigations will  benefit from shared information or there’s just a need for additional police presence.

Many thanks to the officers, detectives (and civilian) who answered the call this week.  

To all the essential workers, thank you!

Thank You, Evanston Hospital!

Thank You, St. Francis Hospital!

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.