Violent crime stays low as village grows

ELBURN -- Violent crime still is virtually unknown in Elburn, despite rapid growth and increased traffic, Police Chief James Linane told the Village Board this week Crime statistics for 2005 show that no murders, robberies or sexual assaults were reported last year. In fact, none has been reported since a rape in 2002. Police responded to one report of aggravated assault June 25, when a party-crasher shot three people at a farmhouse on Keslinger Road. A suspect was arrested two days after the incident, Linane said. Although the number of reported thefts jumped 46 percent, from 28 in 2004 to 41 last year, Linane said the 13 extra thefts were perpetrated last April by a group of minors who have since been apprehended. The number of reported burglaries dropped 40 percent, from 15 in 2004 to nine in 2005. Vehicle thefts dropped from three in 2004 to none last year. Although the total number of crimes committed in the village rose about 11 percent, Elburn's crime rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 13.8 in 2004 to 13.4 in 2005. That figure puts Elburn well below the national, state, regional and county crime rates, Linane said, making it one of the safest places to live in the U.S.