Three people were arrested and 41 others cited for traffic violations during the Evanston Police Department's holiday enforcement operation, which ran over the Fourth of July period, the department reported Wednesday, July 8.

EPD partnered with state and local law enforcement agencies for the multi-day campaign, which was funded by federal highway safety dollars administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The department has not released the specific charges behind the three arrests or a breakdown of the citations by violation type.

The operation coincided with Evanston's America 250 celebration on Saturday, July 4, which drew large crowds for a parade on Central Street, a Kids' Fun Run, and lakefront fireworks at Dawes Park. The city had warned residents ahead of the holiday that all consumer fireworks are illegal in Evanston, including sparklers and firecrackers, and that officers would enforce those laws.

Broader Traffic Safety Push

The July 4 campaign is part of a citywide traffic enforcement initiative EPD launched in December 2025. That effort prioritized speeding, failure to stop at stop signs, distracted driving, and violations near schools, according to a city announcement at the time.

City Manager Luke Stowe said in December 2025 that the initiative responded to complaints from residents "across Evanston in all wards and virtually all neighborhoods."

EPD Chief Stewart was named alongside Stowe as leading the broader rollout. Neither has commented publicly on the July 4 results.

Drones Also in Use

Separately, EPD deployed drones during the July 4 parade and fireworks to monitor public safety, the department announced on its official X account on Friday, July 3.

The names of the partner agencies involved in the traffic operation and the identities of those arrested have not been made public. Patch first reported the enforcement results on Thursday, July 9.