Letter From Chief David E. Dial

Dear Citizens of Naperville,

When we ended the last decade, there were approximately 128,350 residents living in Naperville. The explosive growth of the three previous decades had slowed somewhat and the Police Department had 175 sworn officers serving the community. There were three divisions, led by Captains Paul Shafer, Bob Marshall, and Jon Ripsky.  We prepared for a predicted total computer meltdown known as Y2K. However, the turn of the century occurred without any computer shutdowns or power grid failures. In 2000, Naperville residents enjoyed one of the lowest Part I crime rates in the city’s history. For comparison purposes, there were 2,902 Part I crimes per 100,000 residents in 1991. That rate dropped to 1,784 Part I crimes per 100,000 residents in 2000.

Having gone through the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 1993 and the Oklahoma City bombing at the Murrah Federal Building in 1995, the discussions of large scale terrorist attacks on America were occurring in law enforcement circles. However, nothing on the scale of the subsequent September 11, 2001, attacks were even imagined by most in our profession. Rising numbers of gang crimes were a far bigger issue at the beginning of 2000.

The events that followed on September 11 of that year would change policing in Naperville and throughout the country. By 2002, the structure of our department changed, and an intelligence unit was created. The state created the Statewide Terrorism Intelligence Center and our department became a participating member agency in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Several members of our Special Response Team were trained in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) operations and we teamed with members of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department to form the nucleus of the Region 4 Special Response Team/WMD for our area.

Several Naperville Police Department command officers departed during the last decade to assume leadership roles in other agencies. In 2003, Paul Shafer left to become the Highland Park Police Chief and Jon Ripsky left to head the Naperville Park District Police. In 2005, Captain Bob Marshall became the Naperville Assistant City Manager and Captain Ray McGury left to become the Bolingbrook Police Chief. Finally, in 2007, Commander Jim Bedell became the Edwardsville Police Chief.

As the decade began in Naperville, we were still coping with the “cruising” problem in our downtown and Riverwalk areas. The City Council had passed an anti-cruising ordinance in the 1990s and officers were using hand-held computers to assist in the enforcement of that ordinance. During the summer of 2000, a group of self-proclaimed anarchists known as “Reclaim the Streets” descended on our downtown area in an effort to block our commercial roadways and to protest capitalism. We responded by threatening to arrest any of them who tried to block traffic and they dissipated after it began raining. By the next summer, they came back once again to block the roadways and carry out their protests. A multi-jurisdictional police response arrested 17 of the protesters and restored peace in the community. 

We also had our share of significant crimes during the last decade. In 2005, Naperville detectives partnered with Aurora police detectives to investigate a quadruple homicide that began in the Stillwater subdivision of Naperville when Eric Hanson murdered his parents. The crime spree concluded in the Aurora portion of the White Eagle subdivision when he murdered his sister and her husband. He was found guilty of the murders in 2008.  

A very significant change during the last 10 years was the ever increasing number of computer crimes and misuse of the Internet by child pornographers and pedophiles. Prior to the beginning of this century, arrests for those crimes were relatively infrequent. Today, they are commonplace. In 2005, the look of our patrol cars changed as we replaced our aging fleet of white police vehicles with cars that have a more easily identifiable and traditional black and white paint scheme.

Technology has changed everything we do. At the beginning of the decade, our police vehicles were equipped with mobile data terminals that had no connectivity to our automated records system. Today, the patrol vehicle is a virtual office with a laptop computer that provides the officers with access to a variety of data bases. Our 9-1-1 system has changed, our automated records system has changed and, most recently, our entire citywide radio system has changed. Our new radios are digital and we have complete interoperability with those in the Aurora Police Department. As the radio systems in other jurisdictions are upgraded, we expect to have interoperability with them also.

Something else that has impacted us, just as it has much of the country, is the recession. Significant reductions in our force have necessitated two structural changes in our department during the last three years. We now have 167 officers serving a community of 145,000 people. Budget woes forced the closing
of a police substation/city satellite office known as Community Connection last year. The cruising problem has been replaced with hundreds of people who meet and drink in our downtown taverns throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Cyber crimes have increased dramatically, and this increase is expected to continue. Drug crimes continue to be an issue in our community and this is something we will continue to deal with in the foreseeable future. On the up side, Part I Crime rates remained low during the last year and Naperville will continue to be ranked as one of the safest communities of our size in the country.

As we continue into this new decade, many police departments in America will be challenged with reduced staffs, a continuing terrorist threat, early prison releases, new forms of gang violence and crimes using technologies that we haven’t even imagined yet. Naperville will be one of those departments. To cope with some of our service demands, you can expect an online reporting system to become available for your use in early 2011. One thing that will not change is our commitment to maintain the quality of life we enjoy and to keep our community as safe as we possibly can. It is your community, your Police Department and our commitment. 

Sincerely,

David E. Dial
Chief of Police

Promotions and Retirements

2010 Promotions

• Emergency Communications Supervisor Stacy Edwards - September 6

2010 Retirements

• Deputy Chief Kevin Kirk – January 31
  
• Records Specialist Florentino Rivera – February 1
  
• Sergeant Lisa Burghardt – May 3
  
• Officer Donol McGrath – July 10
  
• Detective Jeffrey Sytar – October 29
  
• Records Specialist Margaret Sommer – December 31
   

Awards

Employees of the Month

2010 Citizens Appreciate Public Safety

The following Police Department employees were recipients of the Citizens Appreciate Public Safety Awards at the 2010 Ceremony:

• Officer Martin Franken - Police Officer of the Year as named by the Naperville Board of Police and Fire Commissioners
  
• Sergeant Brian Cunningham
  
• Sergeant Kathy Anderson
  
• Sergeant Nick Liberio
• Officer Mike Zegadlo
• Detective Chuck Baker
• Community Service Officer Maura Finn

2010 Service Awards

Internal Affairs Unit

It is the policy of the Naperville Police Department (NPD) to investigate all allegations of employee misconduct. The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for the investigation of complaints made against the department or its employees. This unit also processes all commendations and awards received or given by the department. The Internal Affairs Unit activity has increased commensurate to the growth of the city’s population and the number of police department personnel. During 2010, the number of commendations received by the department continued to far exceed the number of complaints received.

The Internal Affairs Unit recorded 188 commendations involving a total of 396 separate employees. For sworn employees, 334 positive contacts were received. Civilian employees received a total of 62 commendations.

During 2010, the Internal Affairs Unit recorded seven citizen complaints. The unit also processed 18 crashes involving police vehicles. Of the seven complaints, two were found to involve sustained cases of misconduct. Of the 18 crashes, seven were attributed to preventable traffic crashes.

Communications Section

Initially accredited in July 2001, the Naperville Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received its third reaccreditation award in November 2010 from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

"The assessment team found the Naperville Public Service Answering Point to be comprised of motivated, courteous professionals. It was evident that quality service delivery and compliance with policies and procedures are emphasized by the agency's leadership and observed in the work ethic of the telecommunicators and their supervisors... Naperville's PSAP succeeds because of the strengths of its leadership and commitment to its staff."

- Director Andy D'Eramo, Lewiston-Auburn Maine, 911 Communications Center

Following two years of extensive renovation, the Primary Communications Center welcomed back staff members from both PSAP and City Dispatch on November 30, 2010. Upgrades to the facility provided improved environmental and ergonomic features, as well as technology advancements, including a media wall for security camera monitoring and upgraded 9-1-1 phone and radio systems.

In 2010 the Communications Section:

• Handled 50,946 E9-1-1 calls
• Answered 196,295 administrative/non-emergency calls
• Processed 89,196 police event numbers
• Handled 11,454 fire EMS reports
• Handled 149,059 utility/city dispatch calls
• Dispatched 29,225 utility service requests 

Driver Training Program at the Autobahn

In 2010, Naperville police officers were offered a unique opportunity to participate in a driver training course consisting of instruction on vehicle dynamics and behind-the-wheel training. The training was performed in conjunction with the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois. The facility was an outstanding location for this type of training. The training was designed around the format of classroom instruction and hands-on vehicle track training.

The classroom consisted of vehicle dynamic discussions and its relevance to police driving. The classroom portion was approximately 1½ hours and the remainder of the day was spent behind the wheel of a police patrol vehicle. The training day consisted of five exercises: a braking drill, skid correction drill, slalom drill, accident avoidance drill and obstacle course. Approximately 100 officers and supervisors participated in the training.

Naperville Police Department's (NPD) Records Section

• Responded to 1,684 outside records checks from the military, Office of Personnel Management and other agencies
• Responded to 1,508 State's Attorney requests and probation requests
• Provided 199 police certificate letters to citizens seeking to work or attend school overseas or adopt
• Processed more than $303,604 in parking ticket payments via online, lockbox, collection agency and in person
• Processed 661 parking ticket complaints
• Issued 63 court dates for parking tickets
• Processed more than 3,388 booking numbers
• Scanned 228,850 documents into OnBase document management system
• Responded to more than 627 insurance requests
• Accepted more than $629,230 for bond via cash and/or credit cards
• Responded to 1,383 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• Processed 175 orders for expungement from DuPage and Will counties
• Issued $648 in prisoner meals
• Accepted $20,360.21 in utility cut-off payments
• Handled 31,443 calls via our call center
• Processed 27,085 traffic tickets for DuPage and Will counties
• Processed 8,185 written warning tickets
• Processed $71,605 in administrative booking fees
• Processed $25,450 in administrative tow fees
  

Crime Statistics

Part I crimes include both violent and property crimes such as aggravated assault,
forcible rape, murder, robbery, arson, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft.

Forensic Services

Evidence Technician Tara Kraft

• Almost 10,000 new pieces of evidence/in-custody property were submitted to the NPD through the Forensic Services Unit. A computerized and "hard copy" chain of custody was maintained for these new items and all existing items.
• Forensic Services Unit personnel permanently removed almost 9,000 items out of police storage areas. Out of this number, more than 650 items were returned to the identified owners.
• The annual evidence auction that was previously held in April was eliminated. Instead, an online Police Auction website, www.PropertyRoom.Com, was utilized to auction 602 items.
• One thousand, three hundred seventy new flash cards were received and processed, creating and storing more than 32,000 digital images into the evidence database. Approximately 4,000 photographs were printed in response to requests placed by investigators, attorneys and private citizens. In addition, more than 600 CDs/ DVDs were created and 100 videos were duplicated.
• Ninety-three laboratory runs were conducted to deliver evidence from 603 cases for analysis. This resulted in the delivery of approximately 1,000 pieces of evidence to one of three crime laboratories utilized by the NPD.
   

Special Operations Group

The vast majority of investigations conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) involved narcotics activity; however, SOG routinely investigated cases of gang and prostitution activities. The unit also expended a considerable amount of resources assisting other department entities such as the Major Crimes Unit and the Patrol Division as well as assisting other law enforcement agencies.

In March 2010, the SOG investigated a subject transporting cannabis from California to the Chicago area via Amtrak train service. A subject was stopped exiting the train and arrested while he was in possession of 21.54 pounds (9,773 grams) of cannabis with a street value of $172,000. The suspect was charged with Class X delivery of cannabis.

In June 2010, the SOG began investigating a subject that was suspected of selling ecstasy pills in and around Naperville high schools in the south part of Naperville. The investigation culminated on September 1 with a buy/bust arrest of the suspect after she/he attempted to sell 200 ecstasy pills to an undercover police officer. The suspect was charged with a Super X felony for the delivery of the ecstasy pills.

In August 2010, the SOG assisted with the investigation of a cannabis grow operation in Naperville. A house was located in Naperville with a sophisticated cannabis grow operation with approximately 1,500 cannabis plants. The investigation identified two additional active grow houses in another town, along with a fourth house that was being built out as a grow house. Approximately 7,500 plants were located between the three active houses, which would yield a street value of approximately $9 million.

During the course of 2010, the SOG completed several undercover prostitution stings and investigations into known prostitutes and pimps. Notable among these arrests was the June 17 arrest of two subjects at a north side hotel who were later charged with prostitution. During the course of the investigation it was later learned one of the subjects ran a children’s day care center in Naperville.

On November 4, members of the SOG participated in “Operation Cross Country” with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This nationwide operation is aimed at locating juveniles that are being forced to work as prostitutes and arresting the pimps that are participating in human trafficking. During the course of this joint operation with the FBI, 22 suspects were arrested in Naperville and charged with various crimes associated with prostitution.
 

School Resource Unit

From left: Officer Jennifer Johnsen, Park Police Officer Tim Thorpe, Officer Paul Elliot and Community Service Officer Zarine Hussain

"Take 25"

The goal of “Take 25,” a safety campaign created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, is to heighten awareness about child safety issues, with a focus on prevention. The campaign encourages parents, guardians and other trusted adult role models to spend 25 minutes talking to their children about safety.

This program supports the department’s goal to educate the community about personal safety in an effort to reduce victimization and promote the concept that crime prevention improves the quality of life for every community and every citizen.

Reading Buddy Program

Twenty NPD employees currently participate in the Mill Street School Reading Buddy Program. Once a week, the employee reads with a student at Mill Street School. The students have been selected by the classroom teacher as someone who would benefit from individual attention and interaction with a positive role model. The Naperville Police Sergeants Union MAP #363 sponsors a holiday and end-of-school party for the students each year. In 2010, the Naperville Exchange Club donated $1,000 to the Reading Buddy Program to allow books to be purchased for the students.

From left: Police Chief David E. Dial, Madison Egan, Michael Egan and Mayor George Pradel

Crime Prevention Calendar

This is the 24th year that the Crime Prevention Calendar has been produced by the Naperville Police Department in collaboration with area schools and various community organizations, including the Naperville Exchange Club, the Naperville Junior Woman’s Club and CrimeStoppers. Each year approximately 28,000 calendars are distributed to all elementary school students in Districts 203 and 204 as well as five parochial schools in Naperville.

The children whose artwork appeared in the 2010-2011 calendar were presented with a special certificate of appreciation by Mayor A. George Pradel and Chief David E. Dial in the Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center on Monday, October 4, 2010.
 

Traffic Unit

Making It Click

Last fall, community businesses, along with School Districts 203 and 204, joined the Police Department in coordinating a safety belt program called "Making It Click" in Naperville high schools. The goal was to instill a lifelong awareness of safety belt use and foster permanent vehicle safety behavior in students.

A safety belt sign design contest was held at all three high schools. The designs required the use of school initials or name and school colors. The winning sign designs from each student were posted at their school's exit to serve as a personal reminder to everyone to wear seat belts. One winner from each high school was chosen.

Donated by AAA Chicago, Fair Oaks Ford and Gerald Auto Group, the three winning students were given an award of a $250 gift card. Minuteman Press donated several posters to each school and one large poster to the winning students. Sign graphics were donated by Suburban Accents of Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

This campaign boosted student safety belt use from 85.5 percent to 91.5 percent in just two months without issuing a single traffic ticket. Today, more than 10,000 students, parents and faculty are reminded daily to buckle up before leaving school.

Teen Driver and Officer Kevin Kendrick

AAA Driving Simulator

Officer Kevin Kendrick puts this teen driver in AAA Chicago's
fun-to-drive, state-of-the-art driving simulator. Hundreds of guests at the Public Safety Open House sat behind the simulator for a virtual ride through the twists and turns of everyday driving, but with a flurry of distractions thrown in for good measure, such as ringing cell phones, reckless kids, eating on the run and, oh yes, text messaging.

Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge

The National Law Enforcement Challenge provides law enforcement agencies with an opportunity to make a significant difference in the communities they serve. The challenge is a friendly competition between similar sizes and types of law enforcement agencies that recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in the United States.

The program is designed to strengthen and support traffic enforcement nationwide and targets three major traffic safety priorities: occupant protection, impaired driving and speeding. Participating agencies are asked to provide documentation on their agency’s efforts and effectiveness in areas of officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries.

In 2010, the Naperville Police Department was selected as the First Place Award winner in the national competition and also received the First Place Award in the state traffic safety challenge. This will mark the first time the department has ever been recognized with first place awards in both the state and national traffic safety challenges during the same year. These awards recognize the incredible efforts put forth by all those concerned.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Statistics

Vehicle Reclamation Unit

The Vehicle Reclamation Unit is responsible for processing Article 36 alcohol-related vehicle seizures with the DuPage County and Will County State's Attorneys' Offices. Vehicles may be seized for a myriad of reasons, but most notably for traffic related offenses relating to driving under the influence, no valid insurance and/or no valid driver's license including those with suspended or revoked driver's licenses. Through the efforts of the men and women of the Naperville Police Department, a total of 84 vehicles were seized in 2010, which brings the department's total to more than 1,200 vehicles seized since the State of Illinois enacted the law in 2001.

Vehicles awarded to the department via the courts are sold at the department's annual auction, utilized within the department for undercover operations or junked through local fire departments' training programs. The September 2010 annual auction resulted in the city selling 34 vehicles.

The NPD will continue to seize vehicles from those not eligible to be lawfully driving in order to keep the streets of Naperville safe for all lawful drivers and passengers!
 

Animal Control Unit

In 2010 more than 4,205 service calls were handled by the Naperville Animal Control Unit. A total of 512 animals were impounded; 498 of the impounds were cats and dogs. More than 30 percent of the unclaimed animals were transported for adoption to local area humane societies. Our return to owner rates are above the national average at 18 percent for cats and 82 percent for dogs.

2010 Naperville Police Department Employee List

The Naperville Police Department 2010 Annual Report was produced by
the Naperville Police Department in conjunction with
the Community Relations Division of the City Manager's Office.

For more information, contact:
Hilda Godinez, Customer Service Assistant, Naperville Police Department
ext. 6672, godinezh@naperville.il.us
Nadja Lalvani, Community Relations Manager, City Manager's Office
ext. 6034, lalvanin@naperville.il.us

© 2010, City of Naperville, Illinois. All rights reserved.