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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.

A Felon and a Firearm Off the Streets

Not an AI deepfake; that really is a Glock flying through the air

An undercover operation that was part of a lengthy investigation led by SOG (Special Operations Group) detectives and the Warrant Service Team resulted in the Feb. 27 takedown and arrest of a dangerous criminal.

The suspect, carrying a firearm, was observed by an undercover detective in the rear yard of a building in the 300 block of Custer. As the officers were closing in to take him into custody, he tossed a Glock (see above for a body cam still of the firearm in mid-air), but he was apprehended by officers after a short foot pursuit, and the gun was recovered.

Detectives assisted with the execution of a search warrant at the man’s residence later that evening. He was charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender. With a history of violent crimes in Evanston, he is now in the custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections. If convicted, he could face a six-year-plus prison sentence.

Details of other incidents covered in the meeting follow.

Weekly Crime Map

Click to enlarge

Deployment Presentation – March 5, 2025 

Arrest—An individual wanted for a Dec. 27 incident in which he threatened his ex-girlfriend and violated an Order of Protection was arrested outside of the Davis Street Post Office and taken into custody on Feb. 28.

Aggravated Arson

A domestic dust-up rose to the level of three felony counts of aggravated arson on Feb. 27 when a female reported a man with a gun in the 1900 block of Green Bay. While on scene, investigators received a report of a house fire in the nearby 1900 block of Jackson. While EFD was extinguishing the fire, police officers discovered that the woman caller and her partner, both first-floor residents of the building on fire, had been engaged in an argument earlier that day. Officers ascertained that the woman, with a prior record of domestic assaults, was responsible for setting the fire.

Battery – In a continuing trend of incidents on the CTA, a parent reported that on Feb. 26, his daughter was groped on the Purple Line as she traveled from the Davis stop to Main in recent months. CPD has identified a person of interest.

Burglary

Motor Vehicle Burglary—Two teens were seen entering vehicles in the 1500 block of McDaniel. Responding units were unable to detain them as they fled on foot. It’s unknown whether they were able to escape with proceeds.

• Money from an unlocked vehicle on Feb. 4 in the 1400 block of Fowler.
• Nothing reported taken from a vehicle on Feb. 4 in the 1200 block of Fowler.
• A wallet, cash, and documents from an unlocked vehicle on Feb. 27 in the 1800 block of Wesley.
• A failed attempt of a secured vehicle in the 2200 block of Foster on Feb. 27.   

Residential Burglary

• A victim reported that her residence in the 600 block of Sheridan was burglarized on Feb. 26. Officers noted that a rear window screen was partially open. Jewelry, passports, and cash were reported missing.
• On Feb. 25, jewelry was taken from a residence in the 2600 block of Orrington. An unlocked door was likely the point of entry.

Domestic Battery

A Special Watch was issued on Mar. 2 for a residence in the 300 block of Custer where a female was assaulted by her domestic partner. An Order of Protection is in progress. (Abuse of a pregnant woman is a felony.)

Graffiti—Just one incident was reported on Feb. 28 in the 1800 block of South Boulevard.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Recovery—On Feb. 27, the owner of a 2015 Nissan Maxima reported it missing from the 500 block of Sheridan. It was recovered in Chicago the next day.

Theft—On Feb. 26, an unknown person entered a 2013 Toyota Venza parked in the 1800 block of Leland and took a key to steal the owner’s other vehicle, a 2016 Sportage.

Package Theft

Three during this period:

• On Mar. 3 in the 1000 block of Main, electronics
• On Mar. 2 in the 1900 block of Dodge, car parts.
• On Feb. 26 in the 1600 block of Chicago, alcohol.

The Crime Analyst said that most are taken from building vestibules.

Weapons Related

Person with a Gun

• A resident in the 200 block of Custer reported a male firing a gun in the alley on Mar. 4. Investigation of the incident suggested that the firearm was a BB gun or something similar.
• On Feb. 26, an anonymous caller reported that an unknown subject in a Jeep displayed a handgun at the intersection of Oakton and Asbury. The area was checked with negative results.

Shots Fired

• In the early morning hours of Mar. 2, police received reports of multiple shots fired and a vehicle speeding off in the 1900-2100 blocks of Main. POD cameras revealed a Jeep following a Mazda, traveling westbound, and a passenger leaning out of the Mazda’s window, firing at the Jeep. There were no reported victims or damage to area property. 
• Multiple calls came in regarding shots heard in an exchange of gunfire in the evening hours of Mar. 2. Officers called to the Beck Park location were able to collect a total of 18 EPD shell casings from at least two different firearms in the area. Area hospitals were checked for victims. None were reported.

Random Notes

• Last week, EPD made a rare DUI arrest during the day. Day drinking. On that note, there’s a special St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign on one of our favorite holidays. Sgt. Faison reminds us that “drunk or high, it’s never okay to drive impaired.” Love stout? Me too. Allow me to recommend the fantastic Guinness Zero option.
• Special Watches will be in force for Evanston’s various houses of worship. Ramadan runs through Mar. 29, and Purim is Mar. 13-14.

INSIDER will return to your inbox on Mar. 24.

Inquiring Minds: Does EPD Still Use "10-Codes", like "10-4"?

Ten Codes originated during the 1920s or 1930s when police departments were increasingly fusing radios for communications. The need for codes was recognized early on, and a series of numbers was established. By most accounts, Charles Hopper, a communications director with the Illinois State Police, is credited with establishing the first set of codes.

In most radio transmissions, the first syllable or so of a conversation was often cut off. This was especially true with older radio systems that had to warm up when the microphone was keyed. Though officers were taught to pause a second between keying the mic and speaking, saying "ten" before the numeric code helped ensure the message was delivered. Ironically, with new digitized radios, a huge technological advance, the issue of losing a second when an officer first keys the radio has returned. 

In light of the communications issues that surfaced during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other mass casualty incidents, there has been a push to move toward using plain English in police radio communications. The idea was that since there is no universally accepted list of codes, the use of plain language better facilitates clear communications between agencies and public service entities.

In limited use today, the purpose of police jargon and codes is to keep communications short and concise. Whether it’s a traffic stop, a domestic call, or patrolling a neighborhood, officers need to keep their interactions with dispatchers as brief as possible to remain engaged with the actual threat in front of them.

Common Police Codes—There is no universal standard for codes or jargon among departments, but some are more common than others. Common 10-codes in use here include:

• 10-1 - Officer needs help!
• 10-4 – This means "affirmative." It can be used to answer "yes" to a question or to advise that everything is okay.
• 10-8 – This means an officer or unit is in service and available for calls. 
• 10-9 – Repeat (Requesting a repeat of the last transmission) Used when a transmission was unclear or missed. Example: "10-9, you were unreadable."
• 10-19 – A directive from dispatch for an officer to return to the station for a briefing, paperwork, or other duties.
• 10-20 – Used to inquire about an officer's or a suspect’s location. Example: "What's your 10-20?" meaning "What’s your location?"
• 10-21 – Used when an officer or dispatcher requests a phone call instead of using the radio for sensitive or lengthy information. Example: "10-21 the station when you're clear."
• 10-22 – Indicates that a previous request or assignment is no longer needed. Example: "10-22 that last request; the suspect is already in custody."
• 10-27 – Used to check a driver's license status through dispatch or a records system. Example: "10-27 on John Doe, DOB 01/01/1985."
• 10-28 – Used when an officer needs to run a license plate to check registration status, ownership, and any associated alerts. 
• 10-55 – Used when an officer identifies a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Example: "Be advised, I’ve got a 10-55 on Main Street."
• 10-61 - Indicates when a subject has an arrest warrant.
• 10-89 - Used when a bomb threat has been received or is being investigated. 
• 10-96 - Used when an individual is exhibiting signs of mental illness or distress. 

Send us your questions. What would you like to know? We’ll respond with an answer in the next issue or two. Comments and suggestions are welcome too. Contact us here.

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.