The Evanston Police Department has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Transportation (Division of Traffic Safety) in the expansion of the “Be A Buckle Buddy!” program.
Be A Buckle Buddy is a public service, non-punitive program allowing concerned citizens the opportunity to anonymously report an unbuckled child. The caller simply leaves a message detailing the license plate, vehicle description, date, time and location the unbuckled child was seen.
This program features a statewide, toll-free hotline (888-800-2642 or “333” from a Verizon cell phone).
The registered owner of the vehicle then receives an informational packet explaining the violation and corrective ways to comply with the Illinois state law regarding child passenger safety. Since its inception, Be A Buckle Buddy! has educated more than 1250 families throughout Illinois.
In conjunction with this program, the Evanston Police Department provides Evanston residents with free child seat installation instruction assistance. Residents can call the police traffic bureau at (847) 866-5064 to schedule an appointment.