A federal court jury has rejected claims that Evanston police violated the civil rights of two juveniles arrested on disorderly conduct charges outside the Century Theaters downtown three years ago.
The police department, in a news release about the case today, says the jury verdict was returned on July 18.
The police say officers arrested the youths after they repeatedly ignored orders to get out of traffic lanes on the street in front of the theater for their own safety on July 29, 2005.
Guardians of the juveniles complained to the city’s Human Services Committee, alleging the youths were victims of racial profiling and harassment, and a year after the incident they filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations by the city and four police officers.
Three of the officers were dropped from the case immediately before trial, and the jury verdict exonerated the city and the remaining officer.
This is great news for the
This is great news for the police force of Evanston. I expect more of our city’s news publications will trumpet the positive outcome.
I get really tired of hearing allegations of abuse by officers. I hope the city recoups from the litigious families the money used to defend this case. It’s nice to see that these are two punks will not be allowed to escape matters of public decency and personal responsibility.
Maybe the next article
Maybe the next article should be about how many previous and current City of Evanston employees have filed federal suits against the City.
Please tell us more!
This is the kind of valuable information that only an anonymous whistle blower can provide.
Get Over Yourself
For the most part, I like all the police officers in our department. There are a few that I think could use some sensitivity training(tactical guys) but all in all they do there jobs well. I don’t however believe an arrest was warranted in this case.