Note to readers:

The following item is a written record of the Ward 1 meeting from Jan. 7, compiled by Akron Documenter Joy Butch. It is not a reported story.

Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Summary

  • Public safety concerns: Two recent shootings in the Highland Square area prompted discussions about prevention initiatives and community-based violence reduction efforts that could include led by the mayor’s office rather than police enforcement alone.
  • Civic engagement through Unify America: The Unify Akron initiative is paying residents to join teams to propose real solutions, starting with housing. The effort is backed by the mayor and external funders.
  • Budget and infrastructure concerns: Multiple infrastructure issues (water quality, broken street lights, underfunded community centers) were discussed, along with what some called sharp increases in police facility budgets and stagnant investment in social services.

Follow-up questions the Documenter has from the meeting

  • What mechanisms are in place to ensure recommendations from the Unify Akron civic assembly are implemented and tracked over time?
  • How will community input be incorporated into the decision-making process for the Special Improvement District’s board and patrol structure?
  • With the decline in federal HUD funding, what alternative sources are being explored to support critical services like homeless shelters and community center operations?

Notes 

Welcoming address from Ward 1 Council Member Fran Wilson with new contact info:

Downtown community events highlighted

Dominic Caruso, Downtown Akron Partnership

APD officer discusses two Ward 1 shootings

Akron Police Department officer Jeffrey Lamm with the Community Engagement Team

  • Crime overview: Ward 1 had approximately 200 calls in December. A notable concern is the theft of firearms from unlocked vehicles overnight. No increase in overall crime trends or car break-ins was reported.
  • Recent incidents:
    • Christmas Eve shooting: A person was shot elsewhere and entered a Highland Square business for medical assistance.
    • Domestic homicide (Jan. 6): Two people were found dead from gun shots in a home in the 200 block of Casterton Avenue in Highland Square; the investigation is ongoing.
    • Community policing: Patrols were briefly expanded in Highland Square through a Special Improvements Initiative last fall but have since returned to normal levels. Expect increased activity again as the weather warms.
  • Technology and hiring: The department is adopting AI for non-emergency calls and continuing to recruit new officers.
Signal background

Victim Assistance Program information shared

  • A representative of this group shared that services are available 24/7 and cover a wide range of support, including emergency child care, support in hospitals and courtrooms, crisis intervention, education on victim rights and referrals.

Unify Akron: Civic engagement project

  • Program overview: Akron’s first Civic Assembly is being launched in partnership with Unify America. Over 10 weeks, nine randomly selected community teams will deliberate on community issues. This first round will focus on housing, which emerged as a top concern in more than 350 listening sessions.
  • Key details:
    • Participants receive a $1,000 stipend (funded through Unify America, Democracy Funders Network, local donations, community foundations).
    • Everyone is encouraged to apply. You can also submit future ideas online. 
  • Mayor Shammas Malik signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ensuring accountability and potential follow-through.
  • Looking for volunteers to spread the word to get people involved (can be under 18 to volunteer).
  • Partnering with Akron Public Schools to get more youth involvement
  • This process focuses on consensus-building, not debate.
  • What was the outcome in Colorado, the first program for Unify America
    • Focus on child care – five recommendations were made.
    • One initiative was solved in six months, two are still waiting for funding, the other two are in different stages of implementation.
    • Formed their own 501c3 Unify Montrose as a result.
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Ward updates and community concerns

Wilson shared the following information:

  • Water issues: Discolored water (brown or yellow) has been reported throughout Highland Square due to water main breaks. Issues have mostly been resolved, residents should run taps until clear, no boil advisory issued.
  • Council grant cycle: Funds awarded to:
    • Forever R Children
    • West Hill Neighborhood Organization
    • neighborhood watch groups and select local businesses.
  • Special Improvement District (SID): A new SID is being formed to fund safety, beautification, and events through a fee assessed to local property owners.
    • Armed patrols (Thursday through Saturday nights) are part of the plan.
    • Concerns were raised about over-policing and calls for an unarmed presence.
    • SID Board formation is three to four months away.

Akron City Council legislative and budget highlights

Wilson shared the following information:

  • City Council proposals introduced by Wilson (all rejected in a 10-3 vote):
    • Leadership term limits
    • Committee assignment restrictions
    • Limits on committee chair positions
  • Capital budget items:
    • Concerns raised about cost overruns for the Stubbs building (increased by $2 million in three weeks).
    • Police expenditure contracts went up $60,000 to $80,000 within one year.
    • Balch Street Community Fitness Center is partially unheated, limited city funds available for all community centers.
    • Homeless shelter funding down to $500,000 due to reduced HUD allocations.
  • Dispensary update: A marijuana dispensary originally planned for Dodge Avenue in Highland Square may end up at the old CVS on Portage Trail in the Merriman Valley. There are public hearings on this proposal on Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at City Hall.

Residents raise concerns about lighting, water, plowing

Various residents raised the following concerns:

  • Lack of lighting along Rand Avenue past Glendale Avenue, poles missing lights, wires exposed. Residents reported 311 was unresponsive, one neighbor had better success contacting the electric company directly.
  • Plowing and salting gaps, especially on brick roads. Staffing shortages cited, residents urged to continue reporting to 311.
  • Business development in Highland Square, community calls for more family-friendly businesses and youth programming.
  • Suggestion: Contact the property owner of the former Square Records site (info posted in their window) to voice input.

The next Ward 1 meeting Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. These will be thematic meetings with specific issues addressed each meeting, and February’s gathering will discuss evictions and feature Legal Aid, Akron Municipal Court, and community members with direct experience on this topic according to Wilson.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Akron Police officer Jeffrey Lamm’s name. In addition the spelling of Rand Ave. was updated.

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.