The Romeoville Police Department experienced a 21% dip in total reportable crimes in 2018. The numbers, released in March, showed the crime rate last year was the lowest in Romeoville since 2010. There is no silver bullet for lowering crime rate, however. There are numerous factors that affect the number including the economy, the social makeup of the community, parental supervision, available recreational activities, and the quality of the police department.

“Romeoville is a fantastic community and we are fortunate to have outstanding officers that serve us with the highest level of professionalism every day,” stated Romeoville Mayor John Noak.   The Police Department, with the support of the Mayor and Village Board, has implemented several initiatives over the last few years.  Programs geared toward community engagement include Youth and Citizens Police Academies, the Youth Athletic League, and the liaison officers in the schools.  “We’re a proactive police department and very engaged with the community,” explained Romeoville Police Chief Mark Turvey.  “These programs all help with the relationship between the department and the community.”

There are several ways the community can help the police keep the crime rate low. Be observant in your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity. Lock the doors of your house and keep your garage closed.  Remember to remove valuables from your car and to lock the doors. Turvey also cautions residents to be on the lookout for identity theft, which has become a big issue in the internet age. “Be careful with your information. Don’t give it out to just anyone who calls you on the phone or gets in touch with you on the internet,” he said. “There are a lot of scams out there.”