According to Rabbi Dov Klein, Evanston police officers are “on the take.”
“As a Rabbi, I cannot tell a lie,” Klein told about 100 community members Thursday night during the fourth Celebration of Service & Memorial, an event that honored Evanston Police Department’s officers.
“So, believe me when I tell you the police officers are on the take,” Klein said at the event, held in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
They take time away from their families, they take insults from angry citizens while working the streets, they take small paychecks and second jobs, said Klein, of the Tannenbaum Chabad House.
“Sometimes, some officers even take a bullet,” he said. “They put their lives on the line daily.”
The Rev. Kate Guistolise recognized officers killed in the line of duty in the past.
“No matter how routine the assignment might seem, a police officer’s life is always at risk,” she said.
The community “gives thanks for the lives and the dedication” of those officers who have died, she said.
And keynote speaker Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said, “Everyday you don your uniforms and risk your lives for our protection.”
Schakowsky, a 30-year resident of Evanston, took time off her busy schedule to attend the ceremony.
“We applaud your efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcement and those you serve,” she said. “We do have heroes among us.”
All the evening’s speakers credited EPD’s success to its interaction with community members. One such notable achievement within the last year was the opening of the Howard Street Police Outpost.
Evanston Police Chief Frank Kaminski said he has a “great department,” and their motivation comes from “all the heroes in our community” who work in sync with EPD officers to make the job worthwhile.
The event capped off National Police Appreciation Month. The celebration, which is in its fourth year, was sponsored by the EPD Chaplain/Clergy Team.
The team consists of 13 religious leaders who provide EPD officers with spiritual guidance, Klein said.
“We gather tonight to give thanks for the watchers who keep vigil over our city,” Father Robert Oldershaw said.
In between performances by Northwestern a cappella group Freshman Fifteen Kaminski and the men and women involved in the rescue efforts of Sept. 11 were recognized.
“The real key to the success of the Evanston Police Department is Frank Kaminski,” said Saul Chafin, University Police chief.
Ald. Ann Rainey (8th), echoed this sentiment, saying it’s not often a city has a police chief who is “part of the community” and who is on a first name basis with those he protects.
Rainey said her ward has seen a reduction in crime due to the efforts of EPD.
Schakowsky commended the law enforcement officers at Ground Zero and the Pentagon for rushing “against the current of human instinct” in order to save lives during the terrorist attacks.
“They ran into harm’s way trying to save one more life,” Schakowsky said.
Also recognized were EPD officers who had retired this year, including Robert McCarthy, Edward Fuhl, Doug Glanz, John Howard, Dan Mangas, Linda Black and Archie Oliver.
