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Residents urge police accountability at Canton City Council; multiple speakers allege misconduct
Summary
Several Canton residents used the public-comment period to allege police misconduct, name officers, and demand accountability; speakers described specific incidents, questioned homicide reporting and urged investment in social services rather than expanded policing.
During the public-comment portion of Tuesday's Canton City Council meeting, six residents raised concerns about police practices, alleged misconduct in individual cases and urged the city to improve accountability and social services.
Roger Gates opened the public-comment segment saying neighbors fear reporting crimes because police "dismiss" video evidence and that reporting often leads to retaliation. "We, the people, are coming for answers," he told council, asking where jobs and support will come from for proposed housing projects.
Skylark Bruce questioned whether the city's homicide totals include killings by police or police dog attacks and named officers Burch and Schonicki in connection with the death of Frank Tyson, asking whether those incidents would change the official 2024 homicide count if there are convictions. She urged shifting money toward addiction recovery, education and domestic-violence resources rather than further policing.
Justin Nicely described multiple alleged grievances against the police and warned he would pursue legal action and persistent public pressure to force responses from officials; he named several city officials and said he will attend court and continue activism. Brandy (Brandy Smith) said she has faced what she characterized as police corruption and retaliation since October 2023, said officers labeled her mentally unstable without grounds and that the gang unit went to her home without prior contact; she said Chief and Safety Director Andrea Perry did not respond to her calls.
Rich Dyer recounted a April 30, 2023 incident in which he said officers entered his home over a child-support warrant, shot him twice at close range and traumatized his family; he said he has not had a response from the mayor or legal department. Daniel Gates criticized road maintenance and said poor police response times and lack of accountability have eroded trust in local leadership.
What the meeting record shows: the council did not take formal actions in response to the comments during the session. Several speakers named specific officers and alleged criminal or abusive conduct; the chief of police and safety director were not recorded as responding in the meeting. The claims, as presented during public comment, were not investigated or verified in the council chamber and therefore remain unresolved in the hearing record.
The council moved on to other business after the public-comment period.
