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Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights

In this post, a community member who sits in on the Evanston Police
Department’s weekly Deployment Meeting shares notes on the topics discussed and writes about public safety matters of interest to people who work or live in Evanston.

Not Harmless

For the third time in as many weeks, EPD has received reports of a nude male peeping into windows in Beat 76, the neighborhood west of the Northwestern Campus and north of Emerson.

On 6/19, an individual observed a naked man peeping into the window of a house in the 900 block of Hamlin. She reported that she had seen the same man doing the same thing a week before, this time with a t-shirt concealing his face.

On 6/22, two separate calls were received about a man fitting the same description. He was seen peering into residences in the 2000 block of Pratt Court. That evening, he approached a female near Foster and Pratt and grabbed her buttocks with both hands. The victim and a witness fled the area and called 911.

These incidents occurred in the mid-morning and late-evening hours. The offender is described as a male with an average build, around 35 years of age, and 5'9"–5'10” tall. This activity is serious and concerning. “Peeping Tom” incidents like these are considered a Disturbance of the Peace and are Class C misdemeanors, punishable by 30 days in jail, two years of probation, or up to $1,500 in fines. Grabbing the victims elevates it to much more serious charges. 

There are extra patrols, and a Special Watch was implemented on the area. If you see suspicious activity, please call the police to report it. 

Also notable this week was the eruption of violence in the 24th District (Rogers Park) on and just below Howard Street. A victim was shot and killed at 3:31 a.m. in the 1600 block of Howard (Chicago side) on 6.25. (See Gun Violence in the 24th District below.)

Details of incidents discussed at the Deployment Meeting follow.

Weekly Crime Map

Click to enlarge

Deployment Meeting – June 26, 2024 

Battery Incident on Purple Line

On June 22, around 11:30 p.m., EPD and WPD (Wilmette Police Department) met with a victim who reported an incident that took place on the southbound Purple Line. An unknown male attempted to engage riders in conversation and financial transactions before approaching her and a friend. When she ignored him, he threatened to slap her and proceeded to slap her leg multiple times. Other riders did not assist, but the victim and her friend managed to escape to another car, where the conductor put the man off the train.

Bicycle Theft

One bicycle theft was reported: a bike secured to a rack in the 600 block of Church between 6:00 p.m. on June 24 and 8:00 a.m. on June 25.

Catalytic Converter Theft

All incidents occurred in south Evanston:

• Between June 21 and June 22, a 2003 Buick in the 500 block of South Boulevard.
• On June 21, a 2007 Honda in the 600 block of Hinman.
• On June 21, a 2003 Honda near Chicago and Keeney.

Death Investigation

Around 4:00 p.m. on June 21, EPD responded to a report of a person not breathing. A drug overdose is suspected to be the cause of death.

Fleeing and Eluding – Recovery

Special Operations Group Detectives located a stolen Saturn wanted for a fleeing/eluding incident on May 19. The vehicle was found unoccupied in the Valli Produce parking lot and has been returned to its owner.

Graffiti

Reports of graffiti have significantly decreased, with just one incident reported last week.

Juvenile Disturbances

• On June 23, around 2:30 p.m., a victim was confronted by two unknown subjects who threatened force before taking his Trek bike in the 1800 block of Dodge. A juvenile suspect was identified, and the bike was returned. The family refused to sign complaints.
• On June 22, around 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a large disturbance involving over 20 teens at the Sky Zone trampoline park in the 1700 block of Maple. Several subjects have been identified, and an investigation is ongoing.
• On June 20, officers responded to a battery incident between juveniles at a hair salon in the 1700 block of Dodge. The victim and a relative declined to sign complaints.

Motor Vehicle Burglary

All incidents involved unsecured vehicles:

• A 2014 Honda in the 2400 block of Hartzell between June 24 and June 25.
• A tote bag was taken from the rear passenger seat of a vehicle in the 1000 block of Chicago. The bag was later turned in to EPD; a MacBook Air laptop was missing.
• A purse containing cash and credit cards was taken from a vehicle in the 500 block of Sheridan on June 22. The credit cards were used for purchases at Old Orchard Mall.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Recovered:

• On June 23, a 2017 Toyota stolen out of Chicago was located in the 100 block of Callan.
• A 1988 Suzuki motorcycle reported stolen on June 17 from the 2400 block of Church was found on June 23 in the 1700 block of McDaniel with parts missing.

Theft:

• On June 24, between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., a 2015 BMW was taken from the 1700 block of Hartrey.
• A Segway scooter was reported stolen from a parking lot in the 2300 block of Howard around 7:00 p.m. on June 24. Security video showed two teen offenders.
• A victim reported her 2016 Mazda stolen from the 900 block of Reba on May 13. She reported the theft to EPD on June 23. Flock cameras captured images of the vehicle at various locations in Chicago.

Package Theft

A package containing clothing was stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Elmwood on June 20 between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Robbery

On June 24, around 9:00 p.m., victims walking near Michigan and Kedzie reported being approached by a male who presented a note, implied a weapon, and demanded their property. They surrendered a phone and wallet and provided a description of the robber. EPD received another call about a suspicious person in the same area shortly after. Patrol officers observed a subject checking door handles who matched the robber’s description. The suspect fled on foot and produced a handgun, but officers apprehended him without incident. The firearm was recovered, and the suspect was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and robbery.

Sex Offense/Battery

Around 3:00 p.m. on March 19, Evanston Hospital reported that a patient assaulted a staff member in the ER. The offender fled, and the victim is willing to proceed with charges.

Violence in the 24th District

On June 25, around 10:45 p.m., EPD received multiple calls for shots fired near Howard and Elmwood, while CPD received calls near Hoyne and Fargo. A dark SUV began shooting at a black Lexus, with both vehicles crossing into Evanston. The Lexus was struck by gunfire and fled to call 911. A parked vehicle in the 100 block of Elmwood was struck, and another vehicle heading north on Ridge had its window shattered. Eleven shell casings were found in Evanston. The only information on the offender is a dark SUV.

Weapons-Related

Person with a Gun

Just before midnight on June 21, EPD received a call of an active shooter in the 300 block of Ridge. All available units responded. It was determined the call originated from a patient at St. Francis Hospital and was not bona fide.

Shots Fired

On June 22, around 5:15 p.m., EPD responded to the 1100 block of Florence. A caller heard a loud report and observed smoke in the alley. Multiple citizens reported hearing fireworks in the area.

Random Notes/Heads Up

• Tobacco sales compliance checks were performed at 35 Evanston businesses. None sold tobacco products to underage customers, and two retailers have stopped selling tobacco products.
• Drive High, Get a DUI: Traffic Sergeant Jeff Faison reminds residents that Evanston has joined the Illinois State Police in an Independence Day campaign through July 8, “If you're behind the wheel, stay sober. Don’t drink, use marijuana, or consume any other impairing substances before or when driving.” Officers will enforce traffic laws around the clock to save lives.
• Apropos of safety: Fireworks are illegal in Illinois. Some municipalities allow sparklers, snakes, and party poppers, but Evanston is not one of them. Glow sticks are perfectly fine.

Inquiring Minds: Are Curfew Laws Enforced in Evanston?

Even during the holidays

At some point, we parents need to start extending new freedoms to our teenagers. It’s hard. In my case, it was allowing my almost 15-year-old daughter to walk to the Evanston fireworks and back with friends. “Be home at 10:30,” I said. It’s about a 25-minute walk from where we live, and I was going myself.

She wasn’t home at 10:30. She wasn’t answering her cell phone either. When she called around 10:45, she told me she was having trouble with her phone (“It’s janked up” is actually what she said) and “it was too dark to see the street signs.” Maybe I would have come up with the same lame stories when I was that age, but I doubt it. Suffice it to say that when she waltzed in at 11:15, there were fireworks of a different nature. In addition to my rants, I reminded her, “There is a curfew in Evanston, you know.”

For those navigating this teenage phase, here are the curfew rules for Evanston teens under the age of 17:

• Curfew hours are 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Monday–Thursday, and 11 p.m.–6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
• There are exceptions (for example, on the 4th of July, the curfew is extended to 11 p.m.), but hanging out at the beach with your squad isn’t one of them.
• Yes, EPD officers on patrol can intervene. Proactive curfew enforcement has been effective in addressing some juvenile crime downtown in the past, but usually, curfew enforcement happens when the juvenile has committed some other violation.
• Citations may be issued, and fines range from $10 to $750, with the additional option of community service for the offender and the parent or guardian.

Got a question for Insider? Send them here and we’ll try to answer them in a future issue.

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.