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.

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:

• Naper Notify Mass Notification System
• Naperville Police Facebook
• Naperville Police Transparency Portal
• Naperville PD on X (Twitter)
• Chief Arres on Instagram
• Public Safety Incident Map

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