AKRON, Ohio — Akron’s National Night Out events went off smoothly despite three wards cancelling events, with the North Akron community experiencing a strong turnout.
National Night Out originated in Philadelphia and is designed to bolster comradery between neighbors, and strengthen relations between residents and law enforcement. This year, three Akron wards cancelled Night Out activities in their neighborhoods, apprehensive those protesting the police killing of Jayland Walker in June would show up.
In the past few weeks, protesters targeted elected officials in some wards, damaging property and shouting obscenities outside the officials’ homes. Ward 8 Councilman Shammas Malik condemned the harassment on both his Facebook page and in his ward newsletter.
The Night Out event in Ward 2 has been organized by the North Hill Community House for several years. The event featured new backpacks and school supplies for kids, gift-card giveaways for local services like dining and grocery shopping, as well as with music, hot dogs, popsicles and plenty of cold drinks.
Gary Wyatt, who founded the North Akron Community House 25 years ago, served as Emcee throughout the event, periodically introducing speakers and calling up gift-card winners. The community house operates grocery giveaways, after-school programs and other services to benefit local families.
“Our First Serve partners, our city partners, our county partners, I mean, we’ve got so many partners here, I'm just overwhelmed,” Wyatt said. “So we’ve got free everything. Like I said, we got all these gifts and tickets to give out and we’re just going to have a good time today.”
First Serve, a partnership between First Congregational Church of Hudson and the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent, Temple Beth Shalom of Hudson and other faith communities, has been volunteering in the North Akron area for several years.
First Serve organizers, who had a large colorful booth at Thursday’s event, host an annual day of service in Ward 2, with volunteers pitching in wherever help is needed — painting, building, cleaning, weeding and washing any area in need of attention in the neighborhood.
During the Night Out event, attendees, many school-aged kids, relaxed under the shady pavilion or made the rounds to booths set up by county departments and nonprofits.
Some attendees got to know members of Summit County’s law enforcement agencies with representatives on hand from Akron police, the sheriff’s department and the county’s SWAT team, which brought vehicles and other equipment to display. Emergency services processionals were also in attendance with ambulances and gear.
Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree explained a little about the organization of the department.
“They are the guardians of the community. They are not the warriors,” Fatheree said. “We are here to partner with you because we are part of your community and we want to make sure that everybody is aware of the fact that we are public servants and we are here to serve you. We are your guardians.”
Fatheree also announced the sheriff's department is hiring, with no age limit for applicants.
Summit County Clerk of Courts Sandra Kurt addressed the crowd, announcing job are available in some county departments. Also on hand was City Council Vice President Jeff Fusco.
Ward 2 Councilman Phil Lombardo took to the stage, telling attendees, with two sons, he coached baseball on the fields next to the event. He said his goal as councilman is to help make residents’ lives’ easier.
“This is my stomping grounds,” he said. “North Hill is my home, and that's where my heart is.”
