Evanston Police Cheif Richard Eddington says the new police outpost at the Dominick’s supermarket on Dempster Street has dramatically reduced reported crime there.
Eddington says that from Aug. 26, when the outpost opened, through Oct. 23, crime incidents dropped to 10 from 26 during the same period last year.
Evanston Police Cheif Richard Eddington says the new police outpost at the Dominick’s supermarket on Dempster Street has dramatically reduced reported crime there.
Eddington says that from Aug. 26, when the outpost opened, through Oct. 23, crime incidents dropped to 10 from 26 during the same period last year.
That included a reduction from 11 to five in the number of alcohol-related thefts.
Many of the liquor thefts have involved juveniles, and Eddington said the reduction so far is “the first step in achieving the outpost’s primary goal of reducing or eradicating juvenile involvement in alcohol-related thefts at the center.
Eddington says officers visited the outpost about 80 times during its first two months, staying for an average of about 15 minutes.
He says the outpost also helps foster positive interaction between police and residents, especially young people.
In a special event on Halloween, the chief says, 125 elementary school students and their parents as well as 30 high school students visited with officers distributing treats at the outpost.