AKRON, Ohio — Since stepping into office earlier this year, Mayor Shammas Malik said safety has been his top priority, and he said this message is clear after Akron City Council unanimously passed a $815 million operating budget on Monday.
The mayor also said this investment will allow the Akron Police Department to hire the largest number of police officers it's seen in the last 20 years.Akron Police Chief Brian Harding thanked Akron City Council and the Mayor’s Office for their support, calling this a step in the right direction as they hope to increase their force to 488 officers.
“Safety is not putting all this money into the police department. It has been proven over and over that that's not the answer,” said Freedom BLOC Executive Director Ray Green Jr.