The Bloomington Police Department has hired a youth intervention specialist. Michael Donnelly is the community impact manager for United Way of McLean County. He will work part time with Bloomington police to identify at-risk young people and mentor them.
He's able to do the work through a $25,000 grant from State Farm. The company has had a similar grant with the Normal Police Department since 2008.
Officials say the goal is to boost efforts to keep young people out of the juvenile justice system. Mayor Tari Renner says youth crime is "one of the top social issues." Renner says an announcement is coming soon on a teen employment program.
