In response to community concerns about recent violence involving the use of handguns, the Evanston Police Department has implemented a violence reduction strategy. The initiative includes both the police department and the community working together to have a positive impact on reducing violent crime and other criminal activity in our neighborhoods.
In addition to the extra police presence already occurring in areas affected by recent shootings, as part of the initiative members from the department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (N.E.T.) and Tactical Unit (TAC) will dedicate two members each day specifically assigned to work at recovering firearms. Members of N.E.T. and TAC are highly trained and have an exhaustive knowledge of individuals involved in the ongoing conflicts in our community. Members of N.E.T. and TAC will utilize investigative techniques such as confidential informants, tips, monitoring social media as well as investigative stops to focus on known firearm offenders. In order to effectively utilize this technique on an ongoing basis, members will be deployed with the assistance of a HEAT map which summarizes and maps out incidents of shots fired calls (attached).
In further efforts to develop information and allay concerns regarding gun-related incidents, the Problem-Solving Team (P.S.T.) and Foot Patrol members will utilize the same HEAT map to go out and actively engage residents in the affected areas. P.S.T. and Foot Patrol will be conducting knock- and-talks at residences, visiting businesses, schools, parks, places of worship and take advantage of any other location where they can make contact with citizens who have direct concerns about gun-related crime.
Anyone with information regarding crime in the Evanston community is asked to contact the Evanston Police Department at (847) 866-5000 or use Text-A-Tip anonymously by texting the information to CRIMES (274637) and entering EPDTIP in the message line with the tip information.