Friday, April 2, 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.
By now, you are probably aware that seven street robberies were committed between 3/30 and 3/31 by a group of three or four male juveniles.
The robberies occurred in broad daylight, between 12 and 2 PM. The group targets victims walking on neighborhood sidewalks carrying cell phones and women with purses. Two robberies, likely perpetuated by the same offenders, were reported in Rogers Park.
On 3/31, locations included Kedzie and Hinman, Judson and Lake, and Kedzie and Chicago. The day before, there were four robberies at Michigan and South Boulevard, Michigan and Keeney, the 900 block of Forest and the 800 block of Emerson (the only location in central Evanston). The teen robbers have not displayed or implied a weapon; however some subjects have been assaulted. At the time of these incidents, the crew was reported to be driving a stolen blue Honda CRV.
Detectives are investigating these incidents and are working with CPD to identify the suspects. In the meantime, here are a few safety tips:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Keep your cell phone out of sight.
- Avoid carrying a purse, if possible.
The EPD has deployed additional patrols in the area. If you have any information about the suspects, please contact investigators at (847) 866-5040 or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) and then start your message with EPDTIP.
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Deployment Meeting – March 31, 2021
- There was just one package theft reported – from a common area of a building in the 1200 block of Washington – on 3/29. (And no bike thefts.)
- Around 4 PM on 3/27, two unknown subjects carrying weapons entered a corner store in the 800 block of Main. One robbed a customer of cash, while the other moved behind the counter to take more cash from the register and the owner’s pockets before fleeing the store. Minutes later, a man entered a convenience store in the 700 block of Howard, displaying a gun and ordering everyone to get down. The store’s owner refused to open the register and was assaulted. A second subject entered the store and fired a shot at the man (who was not injured). The subjects fled the store and drove away in a silver Ford Escape.
- At 2:19 AM on 3/27, Patrol units near Main and Dewey observed a black Toyota Camry stolen out of Chicago. The driver fled upon seeing the squad but the officers found the auto and one of two fleeing juveniles in the 1400 block of Madison.
- The Traffic Bureau reported these results from their recent IDOT safety campaign: 364 citations issued, 209 of them for speeding. Distracted Driving month has begun. Electronic signs with helpful reminders will be placed on Ridge.
- Death investigation: On 3/26, a teenager was struck and killed by a train along the CTA Yellow Line tracks in the 200 block of Dodge.
- A male and a female were caught on video puncturing the tires of multiple vehicles in a parking lot in the 1300 block of Pitner on 3/26.
- Community Strategies (PST – the Problem Solving Team) continued their efforts to resolve issues at problem properties. They attended the Citizen Police Academy, Homelessness Task Force and a Parks Department lakefront planning meeting. By the time you read this, Community Strategies will have attended the Asian American Caucus Vigil at Lovelace Park on 4/1.
The Week Ahead
- Early voting for the 4/6 Consolidated General Election continues through Monday, 4/5 at the Morton Civic Center, Room G-300 (Ground Floor), 2100 Ridge.
Honoring first responders at Evanston Hospital on 3/25
The short answer is YES. Newly sworn, local and state police officers take an ethical pledge based on the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor, written by the governing board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). The oath underscores the importance of community, the constitution and treating all individuals with dignity.
Every law enforcement agency has a variation of this Oath. Here is ours:
“On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution and community I serve.”
The Evanston Police Department’s Code of Ethics, however, is considerably longer:
“As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department.
Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature, or that is confided to me in my official capacity, will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions.
With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service, I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession—law enforcement.”
Finally, there’s the Department’s Mission Statement. More than a collection of carefully crafted words relegated to a plaque or a page in a published report, it has been a living standard bearer. An abbreviated version goes like this:
“The mission of the Evanston Police Department is to ensure the safety and security of people. In performing this mission, members of the department are mindful that the Constitution guarantees liberty, equality and justice. These principles embodied in the Constitution are the foundation of policing.”
Have a question for us? We’re always looking for reader input and suggestions. You can include questions for the Traffic Bureau. Just send them to Commander Garner and put In The Squad Room in the subject line. We’ll make sure to direct them to the appropriate person for an ITSR response.
 April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month across Illinois. Evanston Police are urging drivers to drop their phones and concentrate on the road. The EPD will focus on distracted driving all month. Follow the Evanston Police Department on Twitter for traffic and other updates.
Bike News
As warm weather arrives please use the Evanston Bike Map to get around.
Remember that bikes are not allowed on Ridge from Howard to Emerson or on sidewalks in any of the local posted business districts. All bike riders should know and obey the Illinois rules of the road. Download your copy right here.
April Safety Reminder: Buckle Up!
Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers (front and back seat) age 8 and older to wear safety belts even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags. Passengers under the age of 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system as covered by the Child Passenger Protection Act.
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.
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