Above / PN file photos are used to help flag reports about Naperville Police Department responses to emergency calls and Crime Stoppers, always reminding readers that keeping the community safe is everyone’s responsibility. Be alert. Stay safe.

On Wed., Feb. 16, 2022, the Naperville Police invited representatives from the media to the Naperville Police Department for a review of the City of Naperville’s 2021 crime and incident data. Due to prior commitments, PN was unable to attend this media advisory.

After the presentation, information, including seven slides from the presentation, was received. Chief Jason Arres’ overview is published below in its entirely.

Considering the graphic titled “Mental Health Incidents,” a notice about a public forum hosted by the NPD and KidsMatter slated to begin at 7PM Thurs., Feb. 24, has been added below Chief Arres’ remarks.

Subsequently, earlier today, Feb. 18, a news release arrived answering one of the questions that readers have been asking in recent months. That release is near the end of this post. —PN

2021 Crime Statistics

The Naperville Police Department recognizes that awareness is a key factor in the overall safety of a community. Residents who are aware of the types of crimes happening in their city are more likely to practice situational awareness, report suspicious activity to police and take proactive steps to avoid victimization. For that reason, the Naperville Police Department presents the following overview of crime and incident data reported in 2021.

Major crime reported in Naperville decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 and remains low compared to other cities of Naperville’s size throughout the country. Every category of major crime decreased except for arson and criminal sexual assault, where one additional incident of each was reported in 2021 compared to the previous year.

Of note in the 2021 data, however, is an increase in shootings and firearm seizures compared to previous years.

There were 12 reported incidents of shots being fired within City limits compared to eight (8) in 2020 and three (3) in 2019. Naperville officers also seized 146 illegal firearms in 2021 compared to 82 in 2020 and 73 in 2019.

Many of the gun seizures were the result of proactive policing efforts. In 2021, Naperville officers conducted 2,000 more traffic stops than they did in 2020, which helps with both traffic safety and crime prevention. Traffic stops show a visible presence of the police in the community, which has been shown to deter crime.

Our detectives were also incredibly successful in their pursuit of offenders. In 2021, an offender was arrested for murder less than 48 hours after the incident, an attempted murder was solved in less than a week, and offenders were charged in two cases of arson, among many other arrests.

Despite the lower crime rates reported in 2021, the Naperville Police Department urges residents to remember that while Naperville is a safe city, it is not a crime‐free city. Continue to stay alert to people and activity around you, avoid confrontation and report suspicious activity to police.

Partnership with the community is, and will continue to remain, a critical focus for our police department.

An online form to request free presentations, trainings and other educational offerings from the Naperville Police Department is now available at www.naperville.il.us/policepresentations. These free offerings cover a wide range of topics and help inform our citizens on ways to prevent crimes and increase their safety. This, in turn, makes the entire community safer. Please check out the workshops, presentations and other opportunities we provide and fill out the request form to schedule your event with NPD staff today.

Thank you for your partnership in making Naperville one of the safest cities of its size in America.

Jason Arres
Chief of Police

NPD and KidsMatter plan Youth Mental Health Forum Thurs., Feb. 24

Naperville Police Secure Charges Related to September Shots Fired Call

Update, Feb. 18, 2022 / At approximately 9:33PM, Wed., Sept. 29, 2021, the Naperville Police Department responded to the 300 block of East Bailey Road for a report of shots fired. Arriving officers found multiple spent shell casings in a nearby parking lot. No one was injured as a result of the shooting. The preliminary investigation indicated that the shots were fired from a dark colored sedan that was traveling through the parking lot, then left the area prior to police arrival.

On Thurs., Feb. 17, 2022, charges were secured through the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office after a thorough investigation of the incident was conducted by the Naperville Police Department.

Levell Dewane Leflore, 27, of the 100 block of East Bailey Road, Naperville, was charged with the following: Felony Possession or Use of a Firearm When on Parole and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm.

Leflore is currently in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections on an unrelated charge.

“I think it’s important for the community to understand that, although we would like every case to be closed right away, solving crimes and securing charges doesn’t always happen quickly,” noted Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres in a press release. “However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a high priority for us and I can promise you we don’t give up.

Arres went on to state that this particular individual actually was arrested the day after the incident on a separate charge, but there was evidence to gather, interviews to conduct and processes to go through in order to obtain charges for the discharge of the firearm.

“I want to thank the officers and detectives whose diligence and professionalism saw this investigation through to charges,” added Arres, “As well as the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their partnership on this case.”

Arres continued, “We recently reported to the community that the number of shootings that occurred in Naperville was up last year compared to previous years. Hopefully the arrests we’ve made previously and the announcement of charges in this particular case bring some level of reassurance to residents that we take our law enforcement responsibility seriously. We will continue to engage in proactive policing measures to try to prevent such actions, and we will be relentless in our response when incidents do occur to make sure we arrest the offenders and hold them accountable.”

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin added, “As a convicted felon on parole, there is no reason whatsoever that would allow Mr. Leflore to be in possession of a firearm, as alleged in this case. I commend the Naperville Police Department for their outstanding work that led to the identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case and for their ongoing efforts to keep our communities safe.”

The Naperville Police wish to remind the public and the news media that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Any individual with additional information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6666 and ask for the Investigations Division.

Submitted by Naperville Public Information, Office of Professional Standards, for the Naperville Police Department.

If you see something suspicious, say something.

Important Phone Numbers to contact Naperville Police 

Emergency 911

Naperville Police Non-Emergency Number (630) 420-6666

Naperville Police Investigations Division (630) 420-6726

Crime Stoppers Anonymous Tip Line (630) 420-6006

The Naperville Police Department is located in the Public Safety Center, 1350 Aurora Avenue at River Road.