Cannabis Crimes, Domestic Abuse Calls Increase In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville Police Department recently released its 2020 crime statistics, which showed an increase in cannabis-related crimes, identity thefts and domestic abuse calls.

The city saw 1,600 more identity theft cases reported in 2020 compared to 2019. Police officials attributed this "exponential" increase to unemployment scams that were spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2020, Naperville police issued 168 cannabis citations for possession of 30 grams or fewer of cannabis. By comparison, 91 such citations were issued in 2019. This reflects a year over year increase of nearly 85 percent.

Naperville saw a marked increase in domestic disturbance calls throughout 2020. 2020 saw 1201 verbal domestic calls, 525 domestic battery calls and 190 domestic-related arrests. In 2019, there were 1033 verbal domestic calls, 440 domestic battery calls and 148 domestic-related arrests.

Drug overdoses were also on the rise in 2020. Naperville police responded to 57 calls for prescription drug overdoses and 36 calls for heroin overdoses. By comparison, 2019 had 39 calls for prescription drug overdoses and 18 calls for heroin overdoses.

According to the police department's 2020 crime statistics report, Naperville saw an increase in car thefts and burglaries. In both cases, roughly 90 percent of incidents did not involve forced entry. As a result, police are encouraging residents to lock their cars to help prevent such crimes.