April 18 Ward 3; April 24 Ward 4 and Ward 7 meetings
Covered by Documenters: Ward 3: Thomas Crain, (notes), Ward 7, Cassandra Williams (notes), Ward 4: Meagan Rodgers (notes) and Christina Brunson (notes)
Members of the Akron Police Department recently fanned out across Akron to share information at ward meetings about central dispatch, jobs and new technology.
Documenters attended the Ward 4 and Ward 7 meetings on April 24 and the Ward 3 meeting on April 18. Residents also heard from their City Council members and others on a variety of topics.
APD officers and staff discussed several safety-related topics with residents, including:
- 911 dispatch centers including Akron’s Combined Communications Center and the Summit Emergency Communications Center.
- The installation and effectiveness of Flock cameras around the city.
- Distribution and registration of doorbell cameras.
- Job openings with APD.
- Changes in car chase protocols.
Calls to 911 dispatch center on the rise
APD Captain David Laughlin, who is also the director of the Combined Communications Center, told Ward 7 residents that the center received 350,000 calls in 2023, or nearly 1,000 calls per day.
Laughlin told Ward 3 residents in mid-April that the center has already logged 170,000 calls this year. The center handles calls for police, fire and EMS for Akron only. Laughlin said the goal is to answer calls within 20 seconds.
There are 54 dispatchers at the center, nine short of the number in the budget, according to APD officers. Full-time positions start at $40,705 per year and include benefits. Learn more about the positions here.
Flock cameras used by APD to track license plates across the city
Laughlin told Ward 4 residents about the 144 Flock cameras installed across Akron. The cameras were first introduced in 2022 to help APD track down stolen vehicles through license plate recognition technology, he said. Laughlin shared examples of how the technology has helped solve crimes.
The ACLU of Ohio has raised privacy concerns over the use of these types of cameras. Chief lobbyist Gary Daniels told News 5 Cleveland in 2022 that police departments and residents “need to be clear about regulating and restricting the way the cameras are utilized.”
Flock cameras are used in multiple Northeast Ohio communities, including Cleveland, Coventry, Solon and Twinsburg. Last week, the Green City Council approved funds for 14 cameras for use by the Summit County Sheriff’s Department.
Free doorbell cameras available, camera registry open
Akron City Council is expanding its Doorbell Camera Safety Program with 3,000 Ring Cameras ready for free distribution. Each ward is allotted 300 devices, according to a council press release.
Applications are open for Akron residents to request a camera. The program requires residents to provide the city “with access to footage for law enforcement review [of] suspected or actual criminal activity that does, or could, rise to the level of a felony,” according to the program’s terms and conditions.
“The Ring Camera and accompanying app functions as a neighborhood watch and provides residents with the ability to capture video and/or photos of criminal activity,” the press release said. “A bonus for users is the camera’s intercom (two-way mic/speaker functionality), in addition to the ability to view entry way activity remotely from the convenience of the Ring App.”
Additionally, APD’s Community Camera Registry allows any resident to register a doorbell camera in an effort to build “an interactive map of security cameras” in Akron, according to the city’s website. Under this program, APD cannot access the live-stream of any camera but can request footage if an incident occurs.
New policy forbids APD car chases over minor equipment infractions
Laughlin also reminded Ward 3 residents of a change in APD car chase policy. Mayor Shammas Malik recently announced that officers are not longer permitted toinitiate chases over minor equipment violations, such as broken taillights.
This change comes nearly two years after the killing of Jayland Walker by Akron police. Officers attempted to stop Walker over a cracked tail light and burned-out license plate light.
Chases related to traffic violations would still be at the discretion of officers, Malik said at his State of the City address in April.
Other ward notes
- Ward 3 (Margo Sommerville)
- Speed table installation will occur soon across Akron and in Ward 3.
- The city has tripled (to nine) the number of housing inspectors and outfitted them with iPads to help with blighted building inspections.
- Ward 4 (Jan Davis)
- Ward 4 resident Ayesha Nurruddin is leading a project to improve the health and safety of Ward 4 residents. The project aims to raise awareness, bring the community together, and advocate for the construction of a skating rink.
- Melissa Little from Habitat for Humanity of Summit County shared information about programs for seniors, home ownership and repairs of existing homes.
- Ward 7 (Donnie Kammer)
- Speed tables are also coming to Ward 7, with placements yet to be determined – one is slated for Hammel Street.
- One resident shared information about Pet Partners. This organization provides therapy animals to help manage stress and provide comfort.
Go here to find your ward and learn more about upcoming ward meetings.
