Naperville residents can file police reports online

Beginning Monday morning, Naperville residents will be able to file police reports from the comfort of their couch or smart phone.

At 9 a.m. the police department will begin offering an online reporting service to those wishing to file a police report for nonemergency incidents at any hour.

“We’re hoping to provide another avenue for people who are too busy or feel they’re wasting police officers time by coming in to file minor reports,” Sgt. Gregg Bell said. “Today, just about everyone has Internet access at their fingertips on their phones so they can file from anywhere and at their convenience.”

Police also hope the system will help “free up” patrol officers for emergency calls.

Reports that can be filed electronically include civil matters of record, criminal damage to property less than $300, dumping/littering, lost property, nuisance complaints and theft of property worth less than $300.

Residents interested in filing a police report electronically should visit the police department’s website at naperville.il.us/police.aspx and select “Online Police Reporting.”

Bell said the electronic reports will be submitted to a police officer for review within five days and the officer will determine the attention the reported situation requires.

“We still want people calling the police for crimes in progress,” Bell said.

Residents filing an online report will receive an email confirming acceptance of the report and a report number. But Bell warned not all reports can be filed anonymously

“Sometimes we may need to get back in touch with the resident who filed the report to get even more information,” Bell said.

For more information, visit Naperville’s website or call the police department’s nonemergency number at (630) 420-6157.