Friday, February 5, 2021 |   View in browser

Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights

Every week, Linda Hansen attends the Evanston Police Department’s Deployment Meetings, takes notes on the topics discussed and writes about other police-related matters of interest to the people who work and live in Evanston.

Masked Men: The EPD's newest police officer, Todorce Ginchevski at his swearing-in ceremony on 2.1

There’s nothing like the appeal of outdoor adventures to take the sting out of more than a foot of snow falling in less than 24 hours. Snowshoeing! Cross-country skiing! Sledding on the only place in Evanston that’s more than 620 feet above sea level!  According to police reports, this is precisely what drew a pair to Mount Trashmore on 2/1 before discovering that the Ford Focus they parked in the James Park parking lot was missing. In the wee hours the next morning, the vehicle was recovered in Skokie. An Evanston juvenile was taken into custody for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Catalytic converter crews are on the run. There was just one incident reported last week (and that may have occurred two weeks ago).

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Deployment Meeting – February 3, 2021

• On 2/2, the fifth victim of the Jason Nightengale shooting spree, a 15 year old female, succumbed to her injuries. The girl and her mother were driving southbound on Halsted near 93^rd when Nightengale opened fire.
• The EPD was called to a death investigation on 2/2. Foul play was not indicated and Victim Services is providing counsel to the family.
• Evanston resident Patrick Jenkins was taken into custody on 2/1 by the US Marshals after being located in Milwaukee. Jenkins was identified by NORTAF/Skokie PD as the offender in the murder of Dyrek Coleman, also of Evanston, at the Hampton Inn and Suites on 1/19. 
• On 01/31 around 4:30 PM, a delivery driver was assaulted by the customer and another individual after delivering an order in the 700 block of Reba. The two assailants, both intoxicated, attempted to rob the victim. The man was able to escape and reported the incident to the police.
• South of the border: On 1/29 at 4:15 AM, a man in the 1700 block of Estes with a gunshot wound to the hand was taken to St. Francis Hospital by the CFD.  CPD is investigating.  
• In the works: Traffic Bureau Sgt. Williams announced that the EPD will be introducing a monthly newsletter highlighting local and national traffic news, trends, data and safety tips. Stay tuned for more details.
• Snow Patrol: Traffic assisted the City’s Public Works department in two snow emergency all day/all night patrols. You can stay current with snow emergency parking restrictions on the city website, along with free parking information at Evanston’s parking garages.
• The additional nightly patrols and assists from bureaus throughout the EPD have apparently stemmed the tide of the catalytic converter thefts that continue to roil neighboring suburbs. The theft of a cat’ from a Kia in the 1500 block of South Blvd  is thought to have occurred between 1/19 and1/20.  And possibly related …
• There was just one motor vehicle burglary reported, this one also dating back two weeks in the 2000 block of Church between 1/23 and 1/24. Which means …
• There were no actual catalytic converter thefts or motor vehicle burglaries reported that occurred during this deployment period.
• Encouraging sign: The department received a letter of recommendation from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). The final results of their accreditation review is expected in the next 2-3 months.
• Heavy snowfall impacted package thefts last week. Just one was reported from a single family residence in the 1400 block of Dobson.
• Community Strategies (PST – the Problem Solving Team) reported numerous efforts to resolve nuisance property and quality-of-life issues. Members attended the 3rd Ward town hall meeting. 

The Week Ahead

• Early voting begins for local elections on 2/8. You can find more information here. 
• The Connections for the Homeless annual benefit Thrive is FREE for all to attend this year! This virtual event taking place on 2/20 at 7PM will have national and local performers, interactive cooking and cocktail demonstrations, and inspired story telling about program participants during this tumultuous year.  Learn more here.

Inquiring Minds: With the increase in Cook County carjackings, what precautions can be taken to avoid becoming a victim?

According to the Chicago Tribune, the CPD reported 218 vehicular hijackings last month, compared to 77 in January 2020, an increase of 183%, with most carjacking offenders between the ages of 15 and 20.

Here in Evanston, there have been three carjackings. The offenders also appear to be teenagers; one as young as 14 years of age and some who either imply a firearm or display one. Since the hijacked vehicles are recovered locally within a reasonably short period of time, the thrill of hijacking (versus anything monetary) seems to be the motive. It’s a dangerous game.

A statement from CPD went straight to the heart of the problem: “Community policing programs can shine a light on a better road to follow, but law enforcement needs to work alongside community groups to bring systemic change. This includes working with teachers, parents, mentors, ministers and other influencers to offer encouragement and support during the pivotal years of early adulthood.” A long term-holistic solution.

Here are some generally accepted safety tips that you can use right now to keep yourself safe from carjackers:

• Be alert. As you approach your vehicle, pay attention to your surroundings. If you see suspicious persons or vehicles, don’t approach your car. Walk to a safe place and call the police.
• Have your keys or remote in your hand, ready to unlock your vehicle. Don't spend time fumbling for your keys.
• Drive with your doors locked, sunroof closed and windows up.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained and full of gas. Don’t stop for gas at lonely or isolated gas stations.
• Plan your trip ahead of time.
• Make sure your cell phone batteries are charged.
• Pay attention to other vehicles that appear to be following you. If you think you're being followed, drive into high-traffic parking lots (shopping centers and shopping malls), head to a police station or use your phone to call for help.
• Avoid driving in the far right lane. This lane is most vulnerable to carjackings. The center lane is usually best.
• Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the car in front of you. You can see more, plus you’ll have room to drive away in an emergency.
• If approached by a stranger, drive away. Sound your horn to draw attention or help.
• Carjackers often lightly rear-end their targeted victims, hoping the victims will immediately get out and inspect the damage. Ditto if they suggest you have a flat tire or mechanical problem. If this happens and you don’t feel safe, turn on your emergency flashers and drive carefully to a police station.
• If you are carjacked, don’t put up a fight. Abandon your vehicle and call 9-1-1.

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.

Property Recovered in Evanston

Think your property may have been recovered by the Evanston PD? Click here to start your search. Be sure to check out the third party service that displays items found within the last 21 days. Here's the link.

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. Take a look at the Evanston Police Department Dashboard.

Let us know if you have specific 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.  

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.