During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on crime trends in Elmhurst, revealing a significant decline in crime rates over the past few years. A member of the council referenced the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, noting that crime in Elmhurst was lower in 2021 than in any year since 2013, with a slight increase in 2022. However, preliminary data for 2023 indicates a substantial decrease, with crime rates projected to be over 20% lower than in 2022 and 10% lower than the previous year.

The council member expressed concern about public perception, suggesting that despite Elmhurst being recognized as one of the safest suburbs, residents may feel otherwise. The police chief responded by highlighting that property crime, particularly theft from retail establishments and residential burglaries, constitutes the majority of crime in the area. He emphasized that while violent crime remains relatively low, the overall crime statistics can be misleading without a deeper analysis of specific crime categories.

The chief noted that efforts to reduce property crime have been effective, contributing to the overall decline in crime rates. This conversation underscores the importance of understanding crime data in context, as Elmhurst continues to maintain its reputation as a safe community despite fluctuating public perceptions.