Published: August 28, 2026

Category: Community Safety & Awareness

Posted By: Devonshire HOA Board of Trustees

The Devonshire HOA Board would like to share a brief neighborhood safety advisory following recent local reports in surrounding Naperville communities.

While Devonshire remains a quiet and safe neighborhood, nearby areas have observed an uptick in opportunistic vehicle break-ins targeting unlocked cars parked overnight in driveways and curbside bays. In nearly every reported case across Naperville, entry did not involve forced damage—individuals simply checked door handles for unlocked vehicles.

To protect our neighborhood and deter opportunistic theft, please take a moment to review these standard safety habits.

The “9 PM Routine”: Best Practices for Homeowners

Adopting a quick nightly habit makes our entire cul-de-sac and streetscape a much harder target:

• Lock All Vehicle Doors: Even if your car is parked in your private driveway or directly under exterior lights, ensure every door and tailgate is locked.

• Remove Valuables from Sight: Do not leave laptops, work bags, wallets, sunglasses, gym bags, or spare change visible inside your vehicle. If items must remain in the car, secure them out of view before arriving home.

• Never Leave Key Fobs or Garage Openers Inside: A garage door opener left in an unlocked car parked outside gives direct access into your home. Always bring remotes and spares inside.

• Close Overhead Garage Doors: Ensure garage doors are shut firmly before turning in for the night, and verify that the interior service door leading into your house is deadbolted.

• Keep Exterior Coach Lights Lit: Keeping front porch, garage coach lights, and pathway lights on overnight eliminates shadow pockets and deters unwanted foot traffic.

What to Do if You Observe Suspicious Activity

If you see someone actively walking through driveways, testing car door handles, or loitering near vehicles late at night, do not attempt to confront them directly.

• Call 911 Immediately: Naperville Police dispatch advises calling 911 right away for crimes in progress or immediate suspicious activity. Officers can respond quickly to patrol the immediate neighborhood perimeter.

• Provide Specific Details: If safe to do so from a window or via doorbell camera, note the individual’s clothing, direction of travel, and details on any unfamiliar vehicle (make, model, color, or license plate).

• Non-Emergency Inquiries: For routine questions or to report incidents that occurred earlier without immediate danger, contact the Naperville Police Department non-emergency line at (630) 420-6666.

Doorbell & Security Cameras

If you have exterior cameras (Ring, Nest, etc.) that captured suspicious overnight activity or individuals checking doors, please report the footage to the Naperville Police Department and notify the HOA Board via the Contact page so we can keep our community informed.