Aurora to host listening sessions about policing

Aurora will host a series of community listening sessions where residents can share their thoughts about policing in the city.

The meetings were recommended as part of the city's Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Growth and Empowerment Reform Initiative. The first listening session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at New England Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd.

Other sessions are planned for Oct. 15 at St. Therese Church, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave.; Oct. 22 at Main Baptist Church, 814 E. Galena Blvd.; Oct. 29 at Impact Church, 4054 Fox Valley Center; and Nov. 5 at Society 57, 100 S. River St.

Each 90-minute listening session will begin at 6 p.m.

City and police officials will attend the meetings. The Oct. 15 session will be conducted with full Spanish translations.

Registration is required for each meeting. Residents can register at www.aurora-il.org/CHANGE.

The first phase of the reform initiative has advanced with actionable items such as body cameras, a civilian review board, executive action items and responses to recommendations gathered during previous meetings, officials said.