I wrote this letter, part of the department’s annual report, in consultation with the Chief of Police of Evanston, Illinois.

2012 Letter from Chief Richard Eddington

March 21, 2013

To the Citizens of Evanston:

This year’s Annual Report has an improved look and feel. It is designed to be more accessible and attractive. The differences start with the cover. In the recent past we’ve shown photos of various badges; this year we’ve replaced them with our police patch, which symbolizes the unity of the entire department. Within this letter, hot links have been included for the reader’s convenience.

2012 was a year of challenges and accomplishments. In the first category was the continuing gun violence that has plagued urban centers across the country, which in Evanston led to three homicides. Two of them involved young people under the age of 21, compounding the tragedy and sense of loss shared by the whole community.