Citizens’ Network of Protection

We are a 501c3 non-profit organization created to promote racial and economic justice within the legal system, prevent government overreach and abuse in the area of law enforcement, and uphold civil rights within the Evanston community. 

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Believe you’ve been victimized by police misconduct or witnessed police misconduct? Having trouble getting the information or evidence you need from EPD?  Want a better understanding of the rules our officers have to follow?

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EPD Photo Roster

Have you been stopped by an officer of the Evanston Police Department? Were you not given a contact card after being stopped but can’t remember the officers name? Were you a witness to an incident that you want to file a complaint but didn’t get a name or starnumber?

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Resources and CNP Research Data

Our team of policy experts, data analysts and investigators have been leveraging FOIA along with state and federally supplied data to take a deeper look into what is really happening with policing in Evanston.

CNP Research Resources

President’s Corner

Photo taken by EvanstonNow.com

Hello to Citizens’ Network of Protection’s Supporters and Followers. I haven’t been connecting to the community in a meaningful way since March 13. We’re sorry we are currently reachable only by phone and email as COVID-19 has put a damper on our working out of the office. During this time we are working remotely to keep to our goal and mission of educating Evanston residents on their rights with the new state and city laws placed on the books. We need the voices, the volunteers and the funding to re-imagine community policing that works for everyone. Please follow us on Facebook to keep on top of the latest developments.

Betty Ester
CNP President and Co-Founder
Betty@citizensnetworkofprotection.com

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Latest Blogs From CNP

We urge Evanston residents to voice their views to their council members, Interim City Manager, and Mayor on two essential issues
December 27, 2021

We urge Evanston residents to voice their views to their council members, Interim City Manager, and Mayor on two essential issues

Citizens' Network of Protection welcomes new board members, Kevin Brown, Nick Korzeniowski, Darlene Cannon
September 1, 2021

Citizens’ Network of Protection welcomes new board members, Kevin Brown, Nick Korzeniowski, Darlene Cannon

Overwhelming police presence used to intimidate Northwestern University protest
November 13, 2020

Overwhelming police presence used to intimidate Northwestern University protest

Mayor Hagerty, we understand that you met with over 300 mayors across the country in June of this year and talked about policing's good and evil and agree on pledges that you feel will address the problems with the policemen and the citizens in our community. It is good that you are pulling plans and pledge together to change some of your police department's policies. But you did not include the groups suffering at the hands of the policemen.
October 2, 2020

An Open Letter to Mayor Hagerty from Citizens Network of Protection

Comment on Instagram post has Evanston activists calling for stricter social media policy for police officers
September 3, 2020

Comment on Instagram post has Evanston activists calling for stricter social media policy for police officers

The Citizens' Network of Protection is committed to rooting out systemic racism in Evanston. One system, or institution, where reforms have failed to adequately address this issue is policing.  The institution of policing in Evanston has not been an exception to the rule. Black and Brown people in Evanston have felt the blow of discriminatory police practices for decades and decades with no relief.  Meanwhile, the Evanston Police Department budget has soared over the last 10 years, nearly doubling from 2009, and now accounting for nearly 34% of the City of Evanston general fund. The Citizens' Network of Protection is here to help answer two fundamental questions that are critical to protecting the lives of Black and Brown people in Evanston and upending the systemic racism that is embedded in our culture and institutions.
July 4, 2020

Rooting Out Systemic Racism in Evanston

Chief Demitrous Cook's Improper Social Media Use
February 21, 2020

Chief Demitrous Cook’s Improper Social Media Use

It was the fall of 2015 when I first met CNP co-founder and president, Betty Ester. She had contacted the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where I was a 2L at the time, in an effort to find a law student to assist CNP with improving police accountability, oversight, and transparency in Evanston.
February 12, 2020

Why am I committed to the mission of the Citizens Network of Protection?

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