Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Ward 7 meeting from Aug. 26, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Dustin Hill. 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
- The meeting mostly featured guest speakers, including one who focused on the recent adoption of artificial intelligence for non-emergency calls to the Akron Combined Communications Center. Emergency dispatchers at the meeting shared information and tried to alleviate concerns, but residents still had lots of questions.
- Another guest speaker, former Immigration judge and judicial candidate Tania Nemer, spoke about scams and their dangers.
- During the public comment period, there were multiple discussions about development in the area, including the Firestone building, the old Steinley’s shop, and proposed development in South Akron.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- Is there a plan for Akron dispatch to study locals’ perspective on the effectiveness and preference for the new AI system?
- When will the Firestone building demolition be completed?
- What are the details of the South Akron development planned, and will there be an expansion of public housing?
About 20 members of the public attended the meeting. Ward 7 Council Member Donnie Kammer spoke to some people before the meeting, including both of the Documenters present. Over the course of the public speaking period, the number of attendees grew significantly.
Dispatchers explain use of AI in non-emergency calls
Akron emergency dispatchers talked about using AI for non-emergency calls in an attempt to alleviate concerns. Akron dispatch has 62 workers who handle 330,000 emergency and non-emergency calls each year.
The presenters explained AI is not being used for 911 calls.
The AI system, adopted in 2025, is used to route calls to the proper location. AI is also being used for the 311 system on weekends, when the desk is not staffed.
Dispatch center supervisor Michelle Nicholson said that dispatchers use the AI agent, named Ava, to gather information and route the proper resources to callers.
“So when you call in, you get Ava. Ava is going to ask you your phone number, your name, your address, (2:15) and what you are calling about. Please do not get frustrated,” Nicholson said.
She said that dispatchers had adopted an AI tree system. Summit County uses AI tools for its non-emergency line as well, but Akron operates an independent call center, separate from the rest of Summit County. Because of the sheer volume of calls, the city’s system was overburdened and did not have the manpower to keep up. AI was suggested as a solution. In some cases, the AI system can direct all info to a dispatch team, avoiding the need for people to respond.
Which number should you call?
Dispatchers explained when a caller should dial 311 or the non-emergency line (330-375-2181 and 330-375-2101). They also explained that there is sometimes a wait when call volume is high and only five call takers are working.
Residents should call 311 for neighborhood issues such as animals running loose, dead animal removal on public property, high grass and weeds and property and housing issues.
The city’s website recommends calling the non-emergency numbers for situations that may be criminal in nature but “may not require immediate attention, such as crimes where the suspects are gone and there are no injuries, vehicle complaints, neighborhood issues or civil matters.”
The presenters acknowledged that there are some problems with using AI. Dispatchers recognized that residents don’t like talking to AI systems, but said the system is improving and residents can learn to work with it.
Residents raise concerns, questions about AI usage
Multiple residents asked how long AI has been used in the city and whether using AI for non-emergency calls led to an increase in callers dialing 911 to speak to a real human.
Dispatchers said they began using AI in May 2025 and said it’s still in a trial period.
Residents complained about slow 911 call response times. The dispatchers said that no average time can be offered because there are variables for the given influx of calls and number of responders available to take those calls. An APD officer at the meeting said calls are prioritized by severity and not wait times.
At one point, several people spoke at once about wait times and priorities ensued, which led to apparent confusion in the audience. One confused resident asked if 911 used AI tools and was told that it is not the case.
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Thousands of calls completed by AI
Dispatchers explain that AI is designed to lower call volume for incorrect calls and shorten times by using its language model analysis.
AI is trained to observe frustration and cursing and has been trained to direct those callers to an agent.
An APD officer said 84,149 calls have been handled by AI since its adoption. Nearly 39,000 of those calls were handled completely automated.
Nicholson added that of 17,322 calls completed by AI agents, 1,200 (or 7%) required call backs for more info. It was unclear what the time period is for this data.
She said this use of AI has allowed dispatchers to better handle and “be more present” in 911 emergency calls.
Council member updates
Kammer shared information on several items happening around Ward 7.
- A Rite-Aid is closed, and Kammer is pushing for an improvement to the yard to control, and pushing for sale of property.
- The Akron marathon is Sept. 26, and some roads will be closed. This year’s route is new. Kammer is supportive of the event and encouraged residents to watch.
- Two new permanent speed tables will be installed on Firestone Boulevard. One will be near the Firestone Park Community Center. Each ward gets two tables.
- A major water line replacement project on Grant Street will soon be completed. The project has received numerous complaints from residents, Kammer said, and he is hoping the project will wrap up soon.
- Kammer talked about his efforts to oppose renewal of a liquor license for Andy’s Bar at Palm Meadow and Main Street for a third time. Kammer said the bar has been the scene of fights, shootings and stabbings and that opposing the liquor license is the only thing he can do as a council member to remedy the situation, but the state has the final say.
- Kammer provided an update on the Firestone factory, saying he wants to save the clock tower and create a pocket park. He also said he wished they could save the building and redevelop, but cannot. Planning for the site is still in progress and demolition is currently on hold while they wait for a response from the state. In the meantime, asbestos has been removed.
Residents ask questions about commission meeting, old restaurant
- A resident asked about the old Steinly’s restaurant location and whether there was any update, but Kammer said there was not. Kammer also mentioned that while he voted to approve a request that the site be used as a marijuana dispensary, he would not be disappointed if it was not made into one.
- A resident asked about a recent Planning Commission meeting. The resident said developers are interested in developing an apartment complex in the area on Kenmore, according to a resident claiming it was Section 8 housing. Kammer did not have information about this.
- A local thanked the council person for the city’s rapid response to removing a tree that recently fell, which led to a short discussion on the use of 311 and non-emergency lines here in Akron, which segued into the dispatchers’ presentation.
A closer look at South Akron
Judicial candidate speaks to residents
- Common Pleas Court judicial candidate Tania Nemer, who is also a former immigration judge, spoke about scams. Safety cards were handed out to the public, and she began with questions about the personal policy on answering the door and phone. She advised talking through the door because if someone wants to break in, they hear you and can’t push in the door. She also encouraged using doorbell cameras.
- Nemer then brought up an anecdote about a fellow attorney who got scammed through a website by paying bills online. The point of the story is that any one of us could be scammed. She then brought up other common scam ploys:
- Grandchild in jail
- Telecarrier bill
- Jury duty scam
- IRS scam
- Social Security scam
Someone asked how these scam calls could be stopped. Nemer’s response was to report them as spam and share the knowledge with others. Nemer then said the reason the grandchild scam is less popular is that people have warned others of this version.
