Thursday, October 8, 2020 | View in browser
Evanston Police Department Receives Traffic Safety Challenge Awards from Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
 EVANSTON, IL - On October 7, 2020, the Evanston Police Department accepted five awards from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
The Traffic Unit earned second place for municipal departments with 101 to 250 police officers in the Traffic Safety Challenge for their traffic safety efforts during 2019. The Traffic Unit finished in a first place tie for bicycle and pedestrian safety, and a first place finish in the speed awareness category. The Traffic Safety Challenge recognizes departments who target major traffic safety priorities:
- Occupant protection
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
It acknowledges agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovating problem solving in their communities, using public information activities and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts. Winning programs effectively combine many different strategies to reduce crashes and injuries in their jurisdiction. Ultimately, the Traffic Safety Challenge is about saving lives and reducing traffic related injuries.
Detective Kyle Wideman of the EPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team, earned the Looking Beyond the Safety Belt Award for his efforts in recovering a loaded firearm and a significant quantity of cannabis on a traffic stop. Two subjects were arrested and charged in this incident. Detective Richard Shanas of the EPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team, also earned the Looking Beyond the Safety Belt Award for his efforts in recovering a significant quantity of controlled substance on a traffic stop. The traffic stop led to felony charges for Possession of Controlled Substance with the Intent to deliver. The Looking Beyond the Safety Belt Award recognizes law enforcement officers whose observations during a traffic stop, based solely on a seat belt violation, result in the discovery of evidence of a serious crime or apprehension of a wanted criminal.
The Traffic Safety Challenge is a program coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Committee and supported by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Safety, as well as funding from private entities, and recognizes the best overall traffic safety programs in the state.
The efforts of the Evanston Traffic Unit serve as an example for other agencies in the goal to make Illinois roads safer. The awards are the product of the Evanston Police Department's commitment to roadway safety in our community. This year's awards ceremony differed from previous years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and was conducted via Zoom.
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Media Relations: Commander Brian Henry
bhenry@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-866-5026
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