From committing crimes, to preventing them: 1-on-1 sit down with Urbana PD's Chief Boone

Yahoo

05-02-2025

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — In February, WCIA celebrates Black History Month and introduces viewers to influential people making a difference. One of those leaders is Larry Boone, Urbana's Police Chief.
He stepped into the role in 2023 but has law enforcement experience spanning decades. However, he never pictured himself in a role like this to begin with.
Growing up in New Brunswick, New Jersey, wasn't always easy for Boone.
'Looking out my window to the university, everything was very bright. Where I lived, everything was very dark,' he explained. 'Growing up in a single-parent household infested with drugs, most of my heroes at the time were drug dealers.'
Chatham Police recognize sergeant for saving woman's life
Boone said there weren't many 'officer friendlies' and when the cops came to his area, that typically meant someone was going to jail. Before turning 18, he was arrested twice.
'Only through the grace of God and good people, was I able to change my environment, and from there, things were brighter,' he described.
Boone was sent to live in Georgia with his grandparents and turn his life around. That's when things started to change, especially after one particular football game in college.
'I happened to make a tackle on the sideline, and on the sideline, there was an African American police officer. I hadn't seen one of those before,' he said with a laugh.
Four arrested during Gibson City area drug ring bust
That was the moment he knew he'd be a cop, regardless of his background. Boone spent 32 years with the Norfolk, Virginia Police Department, where he ultimately was named chief.
In the department's 252-year history, he said he was the only officer to hold every rank. Now, he's bringing his experience to Urbana, where he has been the chief for about a year and a half.
In Central Illinois, one of his main focuses is connecting with the community.
'I have this saying, and I say this to young folks all the time, 'the me I see, is the me I'll be.''
That phrase was big and bold when his previous department was featured in the International Association of Police Chiefs magazine. The magazine also featured the 'cop-sicle,' an ice cream truck program Boone kickstarted while out east.
'The difficult stuff is coming out of your shell, making yourself vulnerable, going into communities that you typically wouldn't go into unless you're called, but the way to build relationships is you go there when nothing is going on,' Boone explained.
ADM planning to cut 600-700 jobs in cost-cutting plan for 2025
He hopes to motivate the younger generation in Champaign County by sharing his story and making unique connections.
'Regardless of your circumstances, you can be pretty much whatever you want to be if you put the effort into it,' the chief said.
His story is a perfect example of that, while he tries to make a difference in the city he now calls home.
'You got to put hands on and once you put hands on, you don't let those hands off. You continue to follow them and see how life is going with them,' he reiterated.
Boone said he's the second African American chief to serve Urbana and is excited to see the changes that come in the years ahead.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.