Traffic & Transit
Evanston Police Win 3 Traffic Safety Awards
One award was given to an officer who found several carjacking suspects while doing seat belt enforcement.
From Evanston PD: On August 15, 2018, the Evanston Police Traffic Unit accepted three Traffic Safety Challenge Awards from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Traffic Officer Keeler earned a "Looking Beyond the Safety Belt Award". This award is given to an officer who detects criminal activity as part of seat belt enforcement. While doing seat belt enforcement Officer Keeler apprehended several suspects wanted for a vehicular hijacking that occurred in another jurisdiction. The Traffic Unit received a "Speed Awareness Award". This award is given for the department's efforts to increase traffic safety through speed enforcement. The Evanston Police Department uses speed enforcement to increase safety at high accident locations and to prevent accidents across the city.
The third award received was a second place Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge Award. The Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge is awarded to departments who target major traffic safety priorities: occupant protection, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving. It recognizes agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovating problem solving in their communities, using public information activities and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts. Winning programs effectively combine many different strategies to reduce crashes and injuries in their jurisdiction. Ultimately, the Traffic Safety Challenge is about Saving Lives and reducing traffic related injuries.
Image via Evanston PD