Kane County committee approves opioid-settlement grant for Aurora Police Department youth academy

The Kane County Ad Hoc Opioid Settlement Fund Committee on April 17 authorized the use of opioid-settlement funds for a grant to the City of Aurora Police Department to support the Aurora Youth Academy.

Officer Braden Lentini, community oriented policing unit coordinator for the Aurora Police Department, described the program’s structure: "This year's youth academy is going to be a seven-week program. We meet every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 in the morning to 1 o'clock in the afternoon." He outlined daily activities that include physical training, lessons on evidence and traffic stops, tours of the Kane County Judicial Center and the King County Jail, and a mock trial experience.

Sergeant Matt Bonnie said the program mixes at-risk youth with peers and provides discipline, structure and exposure to public-safety careers. "Some of them come with this idea of hatred to the police. And now after this program, they want to sign up to be the police," he said. Presenters and committee members said demand exceeds capacity and that the requested funds would cover only part of program costs; other sources mentioned in the discussion included the Dunham Foundation and the Aurora Police Union Foundation, which provide shirts and picnic support.

Committee members asked whether the program has to turn applicants away; presenters confirmed there is a waiting list and they are typically "never funded enough." A roll call vote recorded support from all present members, and the motion passed.

The committee did not specify the grant dollar amount in the public discussion. Officials said the program’s orientation for parents is scheduled for June 4 and the application deadline is May 1.