The Complete Guide to Safety and Community in Naperville:Insights from Police Chief Jason Arres & Realtor Dan Firks
Why is Naperville So Safe?
Real insight from the people who keep our community strong
If you’ve ever wondered what really makes Naperville one of America’s best—and safest—places to live, you’re in the right spot. Whether you’re a current resident, moving to Naperville, or just want to know what makes this city special, we’re covering it all here.
In our exclusive interview, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres sits down with longtime Naperville realtor Dan Firks to talk about real safety strategies, the role of community, and how everyone can make a difference.
Table of Contents
What Makes Naperville Safe?
How Residents Can Help
Most Common Crimes in Naperville
The 9 PM Routine: Simple Home Security
Protecting Yourself from Scams
Online Safety for Kids
Safety Tools & Resources
Get Involved & Stay Connected
What Makes Naperville Safe?
Naperville is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the country. According to Chief Arres, that’s not just because of good policing—it’s because of a partnership between officers and residents. “A safe city isn’t just how good your police department is, it’s how engaged your community is.” Residents look out for one another, report suspicious activity, and care deeply about where they live.
How Residents Can Help
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Chief Arres stresses the importance of community members calling 911 when something seems off. Most crime is prevented when residents get involved and communicate with the police. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and let someone know.
Most Common Crimes in Naperville
Naperville doesn’t have a lot of violent crime. The three biggest issues are:
Financial scams: Over $5 million lost in the last year to fraud—often from texts or emails pretending to be government agencies.
Car burglaries: 90% of car break-ins happen to unlocked vehicles, sometimes with keys left inside.
Retail theft: Large stores are sometimes targeted, but simple prevention (locking up, staying aware) makes a big difference.
The 9 PM Routine: Simple Home Security
Chief Arres recommends the “9 PM Routine”:
Lock all car doors and windows
Close your garage
Turn on outside lights
Double-check first-floor windows and doors
Just a few simple steps can prevent the majority of home and car thefts.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
Never respond to texts or emails about fines or warrants—government agencies won’t contact you that way. If you get a suspicious message, call the police or check the city’s scam resources. It’s always better to check first than to lose money.
Online Safety for Kids
Online threats are real, even in safe communities. Chief Arres suggests:
Be deliberate about what age you give your child a phone
Lock down devices
No chatting in online games
Regularly check their social media and messages
Set clear expectations early, so safety is normal, not a punishment
Safety Tools & Resources
Naperville offers several tools for staying safe:
Get Involved & Stay Connected
If you see something suspicious, say something. It’s that simple. And if you want to stay connected to community news, safety alerts, or real estate updates, be sure to subscribe to Living in Naperville on YouTube or reach out to Dan Firks directly.
Watch the full conversation here:
Want to go deeper?
Check out our upcoming articles on:
How the 9 PM Routine can prevent crime in your neighborhood
Recognizing and reporting scams in Naperville
Internet safety for families
Using public safety maps and tools
