AKRON, Ohio — On the heels of news that National Night Out Against Crime activities would be canceled in some Akron wards, several neighborhoods said they have no plans to cancel.
Scheduled in Akron for Thursday, Aug. 4, National Night Out is intended to strengthen communities by boosting comradery between neighbors, and between residents and law enforcement. The national initiative has been happening across the nation since 1984.
With Akron in a state of unrest over the police killing of Jayland Walker in June, officials in Highland Square, Goodyear Heights and Middlebury announced activities would be canceled.
Middlebury organizers wrote in a Facebook post the cancellation was “out of an abundance of caution” and rescheduled the neighborhood’s event for November.
In the North Akron/North Hill community, organizers from the North Hill Community House said 300 to 500 people are expected to attend the Night Out event at the Patterson Park Sports Complex.
The North Hill Community House has hosted the event for years, said Gary Wyatt, who launched the nonprofit 25 years ago with his wife, Patricia Wyatt.
“The event is for everybody,” Wyatt said. “It's mostly for kids, because we do the school supplies. But it's really for the whole community — it’s basically unity in the community.”
The community house operates a local food bank and numerous programs to help local families. Wyatt said he hopes the Night Out event brings neighbors together so they look out for one another and to build a stronger sense of community.
“We try to promote our community back to what it used to be, where people were walking down the street and not afraid,” he said.
Ward 2 Councilman Phil Lombardo is helping with set up at the Patterson Park Sports Complex and said he’ll attend the event.
“I'm hoping we continue to build bridges between the community, police and fire and the city,” he said.
The North Akron event will feature giveaways of book bags and school supplies, and offer fun activities and plenty of refreshments, Wyatt said. A gospel wagon will be on hand.
Wyatt said has no concerns about protesters showing up at the event.
For one reason, the sports complex is a large outdoor facility with multiple ball fields, and it’s a long walk from parking to the activities. Wyatt joked there are plenty of groundhogs in the fields between them.
“If protesters do come, I would kindly ask them, you know, because this is for the community, this is for the kids, ‘If you want to help out, you're more than welcome to help give out free book bags and free hotdogs and stuff,’” Wyatt said. “That's the purpose for this event, to help people.”
Protesters should realize some of the kids at the event might be related to them, he said.
“So we're not worried about anybody, we're not intimidated by anybody,” he said. “We’re going to help these kids and we're not going to let fear run us down.”
Members of law enforcement and safety forces will be on hand, Wyatt said, and Mayor Dan Horrigan is expected to make an appearance because he lives in Ward 2.
A city spokesperson said Horrigan will visit a few neighborhoods and a member of his cabinet will attend those he can’t make.
The following neighborhoods are expected to host events:
- Chestnut Ridge Park, 1958 Chestnut Ridge Blvd. Councilman Mike Freeman 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Firestone Park Community Center, 1480 Girard St., Councilman Donnie Kammer 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Joy Park Community Center, 825 Fuller St., Mike Dowdell, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Ed Davis Community Center, 730 Perkins Woods Dr., Robert Dowdell, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Patterson Baseball Complex, 955 Patterson Ave., Gary Wyatt 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Northwest Recreation Center, 1730 Shatto Ave., Councilman Shammas Malik 5:30 p.m.-7:30 pm
- St. Ashworth COGIC, 1086 Vernon Odom Blvd., Pastor Robert DeJournett 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
- West Hill Church of our Savior, 471 Crosby St., Rev. Debra Bennett 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- V. Odom Library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd. Theresa Boware 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Check the city’s Facebook page or call the community centers for more information.