Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville Police Department issued the following announcement on April 2.

The Naperville Police Department announced today that it is joining the Neighbors app by Ring (available via iOS/Android here: download.ring.com/Naperville). This partnership will provide the Naperville community with local crime and safety information while also aiding detectives in criminal investigations. The Neighbors network already has millions of users nationwide and has been instrumental in catching package thieves, stopping burglaries and keeping neighborhoods safe.

Neighbors is a free app that anyone can use, even if they do not own a Ring device. Once the app is downloaded, residents can join their neighborhood and use the app to monitor neighborhood activity; share crime and safety-related videos, photos and text-based posts; and receive safety alerts from their neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team.

“This partnership offers another unique opportunity that we believe will benefit our community and enhance the strong collaboration we enjoy with Naperville’s residents,” said Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall. “We’re eager to join the crime and safety conversations that are already taking place through the app as well as expand our investigative reach by encouraging residents to share photos, videos and information to help us reduce and solve crime in their neighborhoods.”

Jamie Siminoff, Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring, said: “We’re excited to have the Naperville Police Department join Neighbors to keep their community up-to-date on local crime and safety information. Over the past few years we have learned that, when neighbors, the Ring team and law enforcement all work together, we can create safer communities. Neighbors is meant to facilitate communication between these groups, while maintaining neighbor privacy first and foremost. By bringing security to every neighbor with the free Neighbors app, the Naperville community can stay on top of crime and safety alerts.”

How It Works

• Download the Neighbors app on iOS and Android here: https://download.ring.com/naperville or by texting ‘napervillepd’ to 555888 from your smartphone.
• Opt-in to join your neighborhood.
• Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).
• Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen.
• View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.
• Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, including Ring’s home security devices.
• Work with your community to make neighborhoods safer.

“During the month of March, our ‘A Safer Naper’ crime prevention campaign focused on burglary prevention, and we’re excited to roll out this app as another tool to reduce crime in our community,” said Chief Marshall. “It will not replace Naper Notify, our social media accounts or any other communication methods we currently use. It’s important to remember, though, that like those other channels, the Neighbors app will not be monitored 24/7 by NPD staff, so residents should remember to dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.”

Original source can be found here.