[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6631811,"mediaKeyId","2677334-c1a5b1caef21f5bfe685277443b97c4b","parentId",2677334,"title","Residents press Akron City Council for justice in police killing of 15-year-old and raise neighborhood, school and immigration concerns","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2423000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677334-c1a5b1caef21f5bfe685277443b97c4b&start=2423&end=2423","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677334-c1a5b1caef21f5bfe685277443b97c4b/thumbnail_2423000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631811/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Residents-press-Akron-City-Council-for-justice-in-police-killing-of-15-year-old-and-raise-neighborhood-school-and-immigration-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631811-b6d47bacd3fd725327f17cb56f84913d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185119&Signature=TOXdGUo5D~eW2QpSakAsqicHE7b8XJL0kAdEVsB~RWb6dAIS3rGoB5258qJUQzLliVkcq0h7oJd94acre5OBHYRHmZTG3UBFdPIT-h31WfPIigSERE-1JSYBYG9w9qVNjK47pZ5V54s1v1AUsX7Bq08zE-D~jHFFqlgRpDgfPBahbAIfUqvyV6wr4-7hJK5EP6lK1N~-TXahlgmzMTf7qIzJP0kaaunN0ggCTvC0nmenVeTkXUur1Ds3WhOh5jpd6N4ADgd4eV46JUWYb~M09XT~WOncYIQ85O086XHwcFDRB61SYP99H8QukMxvKzt5yrx~Kq5C0J8a~O-O321OSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron OH","date","2025-03-19T00:53:24.593Z","article","Dozens of residents addressed Akron City Council during the public comment period, focusing chiefly on police conduct in a case involving 15-year-old Jasmine Tucker, neighborhood safety and school concerns, and sharply divergent views on immigration policy.

Why it matters: Several speakers accused Akron police officers of misconduct in connection with the death of a 15-year-old and urged the council and city leaders to take action. Other residents raised safety and operational concerns about Middlebury Academy and asked the city to address repeated neighborhood blight. A small number of speakers defended the police and expressed concern about immigration-related crime. The comments illustrate community tensions over policing, public safety and local services.

What speakers said about the police and Jasmine Tucker

- Lucy Harris, a resident, described a list of alleged uses of force by an Akron police officer identified in her remarks as \"Fields,\" including forceful takedowns, failure to activate body cameras and repeated strikes. She said the case had “Murdering an innocent 15 year old child.”

- Several other speakers used the public comment time to say they wanted “justice for Jasmine,” referenced public mourning (flowers dropped at sites) and urged accountability for officers they described as having a history of excessive force.

- Lillian Barnes, a resident, and others tied protests and memorial actions to calls for accountability and said community trust in the Akron Police Department (APD) is eroding.

School safety and student concerns

- Kazmaiah Moore, who identified themself as a Middlebury Academy student, told council that staff turnover and disciplinary actions had disrupted schooling, and described a recent safety hazard: plastic chains placed near an entrance and fire exit area that she said created trip risks and could hinder emergency evacuation. Moore asked council to \"see what's going on about the school.\" (Speaker asked for city follow-up.)

Neighborhood maintenance and public services

- An online commenter identified as Tina described persistent trash, abandoned tires and a boat left in the street near Martha and Laird that remains for weeks. Council staff said someone would follow up to identify the issue and the location for cleanup.

Immigration and public-safety opinions

- Octavius, a resident who said he supports the police, expressed opposition to Akron's “welcoming city” language and argued that illegal immigration increases crime and stresses police resources. He said the city should redirect federal funds being used for services for immigrants to local priorities.

- By contrast, Reverend John Beatty said immigrants are not the perpetrators of most crimes in the city and urged support for immigrant families, noting cuts to international aid had local effects on vulnerable people.

Budget and oversight comments

- A commenter identified as David Grama urged a public hearing on the operating budget, saying a recent town hall was insufficient for public input. Grama suggested postponing budget approval until March 31 to allow more opportunity for comment and recommended benchmarking Akron police staffing and costs against comparable Midwestern cities (Aurora, Joliet, Grand Rapids) rather than the city of Dayton. He also said the proposed $25,000 allocation for independent legal support for the citizens oversight board is insufficient and referenced a prior city legal bill of $10,000 for an eight-page letter (as described by his attorney).

Council response and follow-up

Council staff and the clerk swore in commenters and periodically acknowledged receipt of issues; a staff member said someone would reach out to the resident who reported abandoned vehicles and trash. No formal council action on these specific items was taken during the meeting; the comments were recorded for follow-up or for future agenda items.

Ending

Public comment concluded before council moved on to the consent agenda and subsequent legislation. The concerns raised—particularly calls for accountability in police conduct, school safety hazards and neighborhood blight—were recorded on the public record for city staff and council follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Meeting - 3.17.25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the public comment period to call for justice for Jasmine Tucker and to raise concerns about police conduct, school safety at Middlebury Academy, neighborhood trash and mixed views on immigration policy.","taxTitle","Akron, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",2666,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6631816,"Akron City Council approves emergency ordinances for police testing, bridge work, polygraph and permits cannabis dispensary",217,2994000,3211000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677334-c1a5b1caef21f5bfe685277443b97c4b&start=2994&end=3211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677334-c1a5b1caef21f5bfe685277443b97c4b/thumbnail_2994000.jpg","/articles/6631816/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-City-Council-approves-emergency-ordinances-for-police-testing-bridge-work-polygraph-and-permits-cannabis-dispensary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631816-43b5687c4ada94a04dd8c4bd1fd137d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185119&Signature=H2bQCd1VaFOCEyfjCGhJIRgAicSvHcFyncYz~FTQzXcvA5IbjxgfsaDJDnP2J-pL~Du8kxrR-KE-Qg2fydSixC4GMUGlUFesIQCPKe2FS9RLlnCEJDBXs2H3Rn19fY3faB3QRzplAS2z9z1udiASfN-Pn-1H45WJaoikllCIf6goQOsHeOvd-3dCd8Re0tBdvYmzEil1v~qw-NNCh6LgjLycvDF8cqeCOXPgltWHpdUgsOHR3tZytbcS0alhnF16HhzCtS9xM~iel2sQtjc40ywgkzjUrmy~yetwOw0FaN9d2cE43dkB0Yg8ycFZtTVSBxk9G10poLhEp3iFkExSbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council on an evening meeting passed a series of emergency ordinances and a resolution, approving contracts to support police recruitment and background checks, authorizing state transportation work on the All American Bridge, granting a dual-use cannabis dispensary permit, and adopting a resolution honoring the University of Akron men’s basketball team.

The measures were acted on under suspension of the rules and carried by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Council members said committees had reported favorably on each item before floor votes.

The most substantive items included ordinances authorizing: (1) a human resources contract with Faust Psychological Services to administer psychological examinations and evaluations for safety personnel; (2) a contract with National Testing Network to conduct entry-level testing for police academy cadets; and (3) a contract with Poly Tech Associates Inc. to provide pre-employment polygraph services for police candidates. Council also approved legislation authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation and its contractors to carry out improvements on State Route 261 related to the All American Bridge. Separately, the council approved a zoning/permits-related ordinance allowing a dual-use cannabis dispensary at 926 East Waterloo Road. The council also passed a resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s basketball team on its 2025 Mid-American Conference championship.

Votes and key details

- Ordinance authorizing contracts with Faust Psychological Services (agenda item 1): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; motion carried with a recorded vote of 12 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention. The ordinance declares an emergency and authorizes the director of human resources or designee to enter the contract without publicly advertising for bids.

- Ordinance authorizing contract with National Testing Network (substitute offered; agenda item 1 substitute): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes the mayor or designee to contract with National Testing Network to conduct entry-level testing for police academy cadets and declares an emergency.

- Ordinance authorizing agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for improvements on State Route 261 / All American Bridge (agenda item 2): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. The ordinance authorizes ODOT and its contractors to proceed with the improvements.

- Ordinance authorizing contract with Poly Tech Associates Inc. for pre-employment polygraph services for police division candidates (agenda item 3): committee recommendation favorable; rules suspended; passed 13 to 0.

- Ordinance approving dual-use cannabis dispensary at 926 East Waterloo Road (agenda item 10): committee report favorable; passed 13 to 0.

- Resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s basketball team on winning the 2025 Mid-American Conference championship (agenda item 4): rules suspended; passed 13 to 0. Council members noted game results and praised the team’s season record.

Council procedure and timing

Council repeatedly used suspension of the rules to take immediate action on the ordinances and resolution. Several committee chairs reported favorable recommendations before the full votes. Where recorded, votes matched committee recommendations; one ordinance recording a single abstention was noted during the Faust Psychological Services item.

What the ordinances do (brief)

- Faust Psychological Services: authorizes HR to contract for psychological examinations/evaluations for safety personnel without formal public bidding; declares an emergency. (Passed 12–0 with 1 abstention.)

- National Testing Network: authorizes entry-level testing contract for police cadets; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- ODOT / All American Bridge: authorizes ODOT and its contractors to proceed with bridge and related improvements on State Route 261; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- Poly Tech Associates Inc.: authorizes contract for pre-employment polygraph services used previously by the city for police candidates; declares an emergency. (Passed 13–0.)

- Dual-use cannabis dispensary (926 E. Waterloo Rd.): committee recommended approval following a public hearing held Feb. 10; council approved the ordinance 13–0.

- University of Akron resolution: council honored the Zips for their MAC championship and noted their upcoming NCAA tournament game.

Next steps and implementation

Each ordinance that declares an emergency allows the city to execute contracts or permit work immediately; the items that authorize contracts direct the mayor or the named department directors or designees to execute necessary agreements. Specific contract terms, dollar amounts, start dates and vendors’ execution details were not specified on the council floor during the votes recorded in the transcript.

Ending

Council adjourned immediately after committee assignments were announced and no further floor debate was recorded. The approved ordinances and resolution will move to implementation steps handled by the mayor’s office and the respective city departments.","At a regularly scheduled meeting, Akron City Council passed several emergency ordinances authorizing contracts for police candidate testing and polygraph services, approved ODOT bridge work, allowed a dual-use cannabis dispensary, and adopted a resolution honoring the University of Akron men’s basketball team.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press Akron City Council for justice in police killing of 15-year-old and raise neighborhood, school and immigration concerns

Akron City Council approves emergency ordinances for police testing, bridge work, polygraph and permits cannabis dispensary