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Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights

Every week, Linda Hansen attends the Evanston Police Department’s Deployment Meetings, takes notes on various topics and writes about other police-related matters of interest to ordinary citizens like her. Linda Hansen is a writer who has lived in Evanston for 25 years.  She is also a proud member of the Citizen Police Academy Class #39 and just graduated, along with the rest of her class on 5/22.

In the Squad Room - Citizen's Police Academy in Evanston 

What began for this Ordinary Citizen as a due-diligence research tool to improve my understanding of the Evanston Police Department ended up an unforgettable and even inspiring experience. Last night, I proudly graduated along with 31 other ‘recruits’ under the lead instruction of PST Officer Lloyce Spells II from the Citizen Police Academy. 

A program launched in 1995 to create a bridge between the EPD and the community, we were the 39th class to complete the 12-week program.   Over 25 presenters guided us through both the basics of the criminal justice system and the specific roles and responsibilities of every department and division in the EPD – from Traffic Patrol to the Problem Solving Team.  Along the way, there were mock trials at the Civic Center, a shoot-don’t shoot laser exercise that seemed to particularly excite the male students, a personal safety (no, don’t call it ‘self-defense)’ exercise and everyone’s favorite, the ride-along (required for graduation, not that any of us would have missed that opportunity). 

What I found out was that police officers are actually real human beings – not cold-hearted enforcers - with hopes and dreams and families and strengths and struggles just like the rest of us. The other thing? The actions of engaged citizens like us will keep Evanston safer.

I know that my fellow graduates, a diverse group that came from every corner of the city, join me in expressing our thanks to Chief Eddington and Officer Spells. (My personal thanks to Officer Virano who was my ride-along partner on 5/16.) The 40th class will be held this fall.  Watch for details. 

Deployment Meeting – May 20, 2014

Prior to This Week

• A residential burglary attempt occurred on 5/16 in the 1800 block of Hartrey Ave. after someone cut a screen to try and access a window.
• Four separate incidents of catalytic converters being removed from vehicles were reported between 5/17 and 5/18 at various locations in Beat 00 in South Evanston.  Police believe these thefts are the work or the same person or persons.
• Bicycle thieves continue to remove locked bicycles and bicycles from secured areas.  There were six incidents reported in this deployment period.
• Four-wheeled vehicles were not immune from thieves, either.   A 1996 Honda was stolen from the 500 block of Hinman on 5/19 and a 2013 Hyundai was stolen on the 900 block of Davis on 5/18.
• EPD investigated a call of ‘shots fired’ near the Evanston/Chicago border on 5/19.  The area was checked and nothing was found.
• On 5/17 vandals damaged the windshield of one car and the driver-side mirrors of two other vehicles parked in the 2600 block of Payne.
• On 5/18 at 8:50PM a person was shot in the 600 block of Mulford St. Detectives are investigating.

Looking Ahead

• Focused on Beat 77 for disturbances
• 1800 block of Ashland Ave. for nuisance complaints of hanging out and blocking the             street with vehicles.
• Beat 78 due to the recent shooting from last Sunday.
• Memorial Day weekend traffic enforcement and DUI patrols
• Roadside safety check point at 1400 Chicago Ave. on Saturday 5/24

Inquiring Minds - Why Thieves Steal Catalytic Converters 

While the theft of 4 catalytic converters in the past week might not signal a crime wave, it does beg the question, “What is up with this?” So I found out.  For those of us not versed in automotive parts, a quick primer.  Catalytic converters are located on the exhaust pipe between the exhaust manifold and the muffler.   They’re prime targets for thieves since they lack identifying markings and they’re relatively easy to unbolt or cut out with a reciprocating saw.  In fact, it takes a pro about a minute to do it. Thieves take the stolen catalytic converters to metal recyclers who pay an average of $50 for the precious metals inside them but could be as much $150. The unfortunate victim (and I’ve known at least one) will have to pay around a thousand dollars to replace the converter.   Depending on your vehicle, it can cost four times that and while insurance will cover most of the cost, there’s always the deductible and the inconvenience to consider.  You and your neighbors will know, by the way, that you’ve been victimized the minute you start your car.  It’s going to have a loud rumble more characteristic of NASCAR racing.  It’s not unsafe to drive your car to the local mechanic or muffler shop to have the converter replaced, but the bigger concern is probably what you can do to avoid being victimized in the first place.  Here are a few suggestions: If you have a garage, park your car there and make sure the garage is locked.  Install motion detector lights if you park your vehicle in a driveway. If you park on the street, park in a well-lit area. If there are thefts in your neighborhood, make your neighbors aware so that everyone can be on the lookout for suspicious activity. Have extra metal welded to your exhaust system.  Most muffler shops can do this for less than the cost of your insurance deductible. Consider a Catalytic Converter Protection Device.  This is the most expensive option, but one that’s essentially theft-proof.

The ON-GOING 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 residents’ 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 handled or brought to 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.

What would you like to know about what the Evanston Police Department is doing to fight crime? Let us know if you have specific questions or 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’d like to receive Evanston’s Daily Crime Report by email, you can subscribe here or view the Monthly Crime Statistics that are reported on a yearly basis to the FBI by clicking here.

The Spring 12-week Citizen Police Academy just graduated and our congratulations goes out to all who particpated. If you’d like to learn more about the Evanston Police Department, take an active role in Community Oriented Policing and join the ranks of over 800 graduates since 1995, please visit www.cityofevanston.org/cpa and plan ahead to enroll in the Fall 2014 class which starts in the end of August. There is no cost to anyone who lives or works in Evanston.

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.