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Resident warns Akron council that Lane Field moves expose youth to danger after shootings
Summary
A longtime resident said the city’s move of youth soccer to Lane Field has placed children in harm’s way after three shootings, and urged the council either to fund security or move games back to Copley Field.
During the public-comment period, Russell Neal Jr. told Akron City Council the decision to relocate youth soccer to Lane Field has put children at risk amid local shootings and that earlier council discussion included concerns about security.
"When that vote took place, it was 12 to 1. I voted against it," Neal said, recounting the 2021 vote to move the children and noting that council members had previously questioned the security plan. He said the city now operates Copley Field and that children could return there instead of being brought to Lane Field.
Neal cited "three shootings down there" and urged the council to either pay for security at games or move the children back to Copley Field. In response, the chair said the coach had raised concerns previously and that Deputy Chief Miller would contact the coach to ensure police presence at practices.
The exchange did not produce an immediate policy change; the council recorded the public comment and assigned a police follow-up task. No council motion to change field allocations or to fund security was taken at this meeting.
